NHS Royal Cornwall Hospital Truro Live A&E Waiting Times
Also known as: Royal Cornwall Hospital, RCH Truro, Treliske, Treliske Hospital
Last updated sourced from Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
Hospital details
Truro, TR1 3LJ
About Royal Cornwall Hospital Truro
The Royal Cornwall Hospital (Treliske) in Truro is the main acute and teaching hospital for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, operated by the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust. With around 760 beds, it serves a year-round catchment of approximately 450,000 people across mid, west and north Cornwall — a population that swells significantly each summer with visitors. The 24/7 Emergency Department is one of four designated Trauma Units in the Peninsula Trauma Network (severely-injured patients may be transferred to the South West's Major Trauma Centre at Derriford in Plymouth) and operates the "Trauma Car" — the first dedicated pre-hospital trauma consultant response vehicle in England and Wales. The site also provides a dedicated paediatric A&E, consultant-led maternity, oncology, cardiology, stroke services, orthopaedics and a full diagnostic imaging service. Current Royal Cornwall Hospital A&E waiting times are tracked here in real time, sourced from the NHS England feed and Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS 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
- Emergency Department (24/7)
- Trauma Unit (Peninsula Trauma Network)
- Trauma Car (pre-hospital consultant response)
- Paediatric A&E
- Acute Medicine
- Acute Surgery
- Critical Care
- Maternity Services (consultant-led)
- Neonatal Care
- Paediatrics
Recent Wait Time Updates
| Date & Time | Wait Time | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 25 Apr01:47 | 191 mins | +16% |
| Sat 25 Apr00:47 | 165 mins | +49% |
| Fri 24 Apr23:47 | 111 mins | ±0.0% |
| Fri 24 Apr22:47 | 111 mins | −54% |
| Fri 24 Apr21:47 | 241 mins | +33% |
Nearest A&E alternatives
See live A&E wait times at other NHS hospitals near Royal Cornwall Hospital Truro
How Royal Cornwall Hospital Truro compares to nearby hospitals
Within South West, Royal Cornwall Hospital Truro 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 Truro residents, the practical question is rarely "is Royal Cornwall Hospital Truro 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 Truro and surrounding South West 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 Cornwall Hospital Truro 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 Cornwall Hospital Truro?
As of the latest update, the current A&E wait at Royal Cornwall Hospital Truro is 206 minutes (about 3 hr 26 min). This figure is labelled "Live" — 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 Cornwall Hospital Truro 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 Cornwall Hospital Truro.
Is there a way to check A&E wait times for Royal Cornwall Hospital Truro?
Yes, you can check the live A&E waiting times for Royal Cornwall Hospital Truro right here on this page. We update this data regularly based on the information provided by Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust.
How long can Royal Cornwall Hospital Truro 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 Cornwall Hospital Truro?
The wait times for Royal Cornwall Hospital Truro are updated based on the data feed from Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS 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 Cornwall Hospital Truro?
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 Cornwall Hospital Truro A&E open 24 hours?
Yes. The A&E department at Royal Cornwall Hospital Truro 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 Cornwall Hospital Truro?
Royal Cornwall Hospital Truro is located at Treliske, Truro, TR1 3LJ. The A&E entrance is usually clearly signposted on arrival. If you need to contact them before travelling, the hospital switchboard is +44 1872 250000.