NHS Tunbridge Wells Hospital Live A&E Waiting Times
Also known as: Tunbridge Wells Hospital, Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury, Pembury Hospital, Tunbridge Wells A&E, Tunbridge Wells Emergency Department, TWH Pembury
Last updated sourced from Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
Hospital details
Tunbridge Wells, TN2 4QJ
About Tunbridge Wells Hospital
Tunbridge Wells Hospital is a large district general hospital on Tonbridge Road in Pembury, near Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, run by Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust. Opened in 2011 with 512 single en-suite rooms, it operates a 24-hour Accident and Emergency department for all ages — including a dedicated paediatric emergency department — alongside an acute medical unit, emergency surgery, consultant-led maternity with a neonatal intensive care unit, outpatient clinics and diagnostic imaging. Together with Maidstone Hospital it forms the trust's two main acute sites serving west Kent, within the NHS Kent and Medway integrated care system. Current Tunbridge Wells Hospital A&E waiting times are tracked here in real time, sourced from NHS Kent and Medway.
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. Tunbridge Wells Hospital's A&E is open 24 hours a day, every day, for all ages, with a dedicated children's emergency department. If your condition is urgent but not life-threatening, consider an Urgent Treatment Centre or call NHS 111 first — they can advise you and book you in if needed. In a true emergency, always call 999.
Departments & Services
- Adult Emergency Department (24/7)
- Paediatric Emergency Department
- Acute Medical Unit
- Emergency and General Surgery
- Consultant-led Maternity
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
- Outpatient Clinics
- CT, MRI and Diagnostic Imaging
- Pathology / Laboratory Services
- Pharmacy
Tunbridge Wells Hospital A&E Wait Times in Tunbridge Wells — Last 24 Hours
| Hour | Avg. Wait | People Waiting |
|---|---|---|
Today, 9 PM | 3 hr | 12 |
Today, 8 PM | 3 hr | 12 |
Today, 7 PM | 3 hr | 12 |
Today, 6 PM | 3 hr | 12 |
Today, 5 PM | 3 hr | 12 |
Today, 4 PM | 3 hr | 12 |
Today, 3 PM | 3 hr | 12 |
Today, 2 PM | 3 hr | 12 |
Nearest A&E alternatives
See live A&E wait times at other NHS hospitals near Tunbridge Wells Hospital
How Tunbridge Wells Hospital compares to nearby hospitals
Tunbridge Wells Hospital is one of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust's two acute sites, and the natural comparison is with its sister A&E at Maidstone Hospital, about 25 minutes to the north. Both are full 24-hour emergency departments publishing live waits on the NHS Kent and Medway feed shown on this page, so west Kent residents between the two towns can compare them directly before setting out. Tunbridge Wells — opened in 2011 at Pembury with single en-suite rooms throughout — is the trust's site with a dedicated paediatric emergency department, consultant-led maternity and neonatal intensive care, which is worth knowing if you are attending with a child.
Living on the Kent–Sussex border, some residents are also within reach of emergency departments in East Sussex run by other trusts. For urgent but non life-threatening problems, an urgent treatment centre is often faster than any A&E. Wait times at any single site can swing materially within a day, so the nearest-alternatives section above — with current waits per site — is more useful than any single-site average, and for anything potentially serious an A&E is the right place even if its wait looks longer.
Tunbridge Wells 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 Tunbridge Wells Hospital?
As of the latest update, the current A&E wait at Tunbridge Wells Hospital is 180 minutes (about 3 hr). This figure is labelled "Latest published" — 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 Tunbridge Wells 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 Tunbridge Wells Hospital.
Is there a way to check A&E wait times for Tunbridge Wells Hospital?
Yes, you can check the live A&E waiting times for Tunbridge Wells Hospital right here on this page. We update this data regularly based on the information provided by Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.
How long can Tunbridge Wells 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 Tunbridge Wells Hospital?
The wait times for Tunbridge Wells Hospital are updated based on the data feed from Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells 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 Tunbridge Wells 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 Tunbridge Wells Hospital A&E open 24 hours?
Yes. The A&E department at Tunbridge Wells 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 Tunbridge Wells Hospital?
Tunbridge Wells Hospital is located at Tonbridge Road, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 4QJ. The A&E entrance is usually clearly signposted on arrival. If you need to contact them before travelling, the hospital switchboard is +44 1892 635969.