NHS Royal Berkshire Hospital Live A&E Waiting Times
Also known as: Royal Berks, RBH, RBH A&E, Reading Hospital, Reading A&E, Royal Berks Hospital
Last updated sourced from Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Hospital details
Reading, RG1 5AN
About Royal Berkshire Hospital
The Royal Berkshire Hospital (RBH) is a major acute teaching hospital on London Road in Reading, operated by Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. With around 813 inpatient beds across 50 wards and units, it is the main acute and specialist hospital for Berkshire West, serving more than 500,000 people across Reading, Wokingham, Newbury and surrounding areas. The 24/7 Emergency Department in Centre Block has separate streams for adults, children and minor injuries, and sits alongside an Acute Medical Unit, an Acute Stroke Unit, a Short Stay Unit, consultant-led maternity and neonatal services, critical care, cardiology, cancer services and a full diagnostic imaging service. Current Royal Berkshire Hospital A&E waiting times are tracked here in real time, sourced from the NHS England feed and Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.
Emergency Department (A&E)
An Emergency Department (also called A&E) is the right place for life-threatening or serious conditions — chest pain, suspected stroke, heavy bleeding, severe breathing difficulty, major injury, or loss of consciousness. If you're unsure, call NHS 111 first; they can advise you and book you in if needed. In a true emergency, call 999.
Departments & Services
- Adult Emergency Department (24/7)
- Children's Emergency Department
- Minor Injuries stream (within ED)
- Acute Medical Unit
- Acute Stroke Unit
- Short Stay Unit
- Critical Care
- Maternity Services (consultant-led, 120 maternity beds)
- Neonatal Care
- Paediatrics (66 paediatric beds)
Recent Wait Time Updates
| Date & Time | Wait Time | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 25 Apr02:50 | 20 mins | ±0.0% |
| Sat 25 Apr01:50 | 20 mins | ±0.0% |
| Sat 25 Apr00:50 | 20 mins | ±0.0% |
| Fri 24 Apr23:50 | 20 mins | ±0.0% |
| Fri 24 Apr22:50 | 20 mins | ±0.0% |
Nearest A&E alternatives
See live A&E wait times at other NHS hospitals near Royal Berkshire Hospital
How Royal Berkshire Hospital compares to nearby hospitals
Within South East, Royal Berkshire Hospital is one of several urgent and emergency care sites and sits inside the wider NHS England performance framework. National waiting-time data is published by NHS England against the current NHS England operational standard of admitting, transferring or discharging 78% of A&E attendances within four hours; live snapshots on this page are sourced separately from the trust's own published feeds, so the figures here can be more current than the headline national release.
For Reading residents, the practical question is rarely "is Royal Berkshire Hospital fast?" but "compared to what?" Wait times at any single site can swing materially within a day, depending on staffing, ambulance arrivals and how full the wider hospital is. The nearest-alternatives section above lists the closest comparable sites, each with their own current wait — that side-by-side comparison is more useful than any single-site average.
For non-life-threatening issues, residents in Reading and surrounding South East may also have access to a Minor Injuries Unit or Urgent Treatment Centre with shorter waits for less serious conditions. NHS 111 can confirm the appropriate service for your specific need before you travel.
Royal Berkshire Hospital A&E — frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions about waiting times and visiting this A&E.
What is the average A&E waiting time at Royal Berkshire Hospital?
As of the latest update, the current A&E wait at Royal Berkshire Hospital is 0 minutes (about 0 min). This figure is labelled "Estimated" — see the freshness badge next to the wait number for the exact source and timestamp. Wait times fluctuate throughout the day, so this may not be the exact time you wait.
What time is Royal Berkshire Hospital A&E least busy?
Across most UK A&E departments, the quietest period is typically between 4am and 7am, with a secondary lull around mid-morning on weekdays. Friday and Saturday evenings, as well as Monday mornings, generally see the longest waits. Check the Wait History above to see the recent trends for Royal Berkshire Hospital.
Is there a way to check A&E wait times for Royal Berkshire Hospital?
Yes, you can check the live A&E waiting times for Royal Berkshire Hospital right here on this page. We update this data regularly based on the information provided by Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.
How long can Royal Berkshire Hospital A&E make you wait?
NHS England's interim recovery standard sets a target to admit, transfer, or discharge 78% of patients within 4 hours of arrival at A&E. However, wait times can be longer depending on the severity of your condition and how busy the department is. Patients with life-threatening emergencies are always prioritised.
How often are wait times updated at Royal Berkshire Hospital?
The wait times for Royal Berkshire Hospital are updated based on the data feed from Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. The exact time of the last update is shown at the top of this page.
What does 'Current Longest Wait Time' mean at Royal Berkshire Hospital?
The 'Current Longest Wait Time' typically refers to the longest time any non-admitted patient has been waiting to be seen by a doctor or nurse practitioner after arriving at the A&E department. It gives an indication of the maximum wait you might experience for non-life-threatening conditions.
Is Royal Berkshire Hospital A&E open 24 hours?
Yes. The A&E department at Royal Berkshire Hospital is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. If you have a life-threatening emergency, go directly to A&E or call 999. For non-urgent medical concerns, please call NHS 111 first.
How do I get to Royal Berkshire Hospital?
Royal Berkshire Hospital is located at Craven Road, London Road, Reading, RG1 5AN. The A&E entrance is usually clearly signposted on arrival. If you need to contact them before travelling, the hospital switchboard is +44 1183 227019.