NHS Ulster Hospital Dundonald Live A&E Waiting Times
Also known as: Ulster Hospital, Ulster Dundonald, Dundonald Hospital, Ulster A&E, Belfast Ulster Hospital
Last updated sourced from South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Hospital details
Dundonald, BT16 1RH
About Ulster Hospital Dundonald
The Ulster Hospital is the major acute hospital for east Belfast and the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, located on Upper Newtownards Road in Dundonald. It is the trust's principal Type 1 Emergency Department site, serving a catchment of around 350,000 people across north Down, the Ards peninsula, Castlereagh and east Belfast, and is a Queen's University Belfast teaching hospital. The 24/7 Emergency Department is housed in the new Acute Services Block (opened 2021) alongside acute medicine, acute surgery, cardiology and coronary care, consultant-led obstetrics and maternity, paediatrics, oncology day care, and the regional Plastic Surgery and Maxillofacial services for Northern Ireland. The Belfast / South Eastern trusts also operate a "Phone First" service for non-life-threatening problems before walk-in attendance. Current Ulster Hospital A&E waiting times are tracked here in real time, sourced from the NIdirect average ED waiting-times feed and the South Eastern Trust.
Emergency Department (A&E)
The Emergency Department at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald is one of Northern Ireland's busiest A&Es. It treats serious or life-threatening conditions — chest pain, suspected stroke, heavy bleeding, severe breathing difficulty, major injury, or loss of consciousness. For non-life-threatening urgent problems use the Phone First service or call 111 for guidance. In a true emergency, call 999.
Departments & Services
- Emergency Department (24/7, Type 1)
- Phone First Triage Service
- Acute Medicine
- Acute Surgery
- Critical Care
- Maternity Services (consultant-led)
- Neonatal Care
- Paediatrics
- Cardiology and Coronary Care
- Stroke Services
Recent Wait Time Updates
| Date & Time | Wait Time | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 25 Apr01:49 | 253 mins | ±-0.8% |
| Sat 25 Apr00:49 | 255 mins | +9.4% |
| Fri 24 Apr23:49 | 233 mins | +12% |
| Fri 24 Apr22:49 | 208 mins | +19% |
| Fri 24 Apr21:49 | 175 mins | +18% |
Nearest A&E alternatives
See live A&E wait times at other NHS hospitals near Ulster Hospital Dundonald
How Ulster Hospital Dundonald compares to nearby hospitals
Within Northern Ireland, Ulster Hospital is one of several urgent and emergency care sites and sits inside the wider Health and Social Care Northern Ireland (HSC) performance framework. National waiting-time data is published by the Department of Health Northern Ireland against the Department of Health (Northern Ireland) standard that 95% of patients are treated and discharged or admitted 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 Dundonald residents, the practical question is rarely "is Ulster Hospital Dundonald 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 Dundonald and surrounding Northern Ireland may also have access to a Minor Injuries Unit or Urgent Treatment Centre with shorter waits for less serious conditions. Phone First (or 111 in some areas) can confirm the appropriate service for your specific need before you travel.
Ulster Hospital Dundonald 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 Ulster Hospital Dundonald?
As of the latest update, the current A&E wait at Ulster Hospital is 253 minutes (about 4 hr 13 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 Ulster Hospital Dundonald 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 Ulster Hospital Dundonald.
Is there a way to check A&E wait times for Ulster Hospital Dundonald?
Yes, you can check the live A&E waiting times for Ulster Hospital right here on this page. We update this data regularly based on the information provided by South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust.
How long can Ulster Hospital Dundonald A&E make you wait?
the Department of Health (HSC NI) sets a target to admit, transfer, or discharge 95% 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 Ulster Hospital Dundonald?
The wait times for Ulster Hospital are updated based on the data feed from South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust. The exact time of the last update is shown at the top of this page.
What does 'Current Longest Wait Time' mean at Ulster Hospital Dundonald?
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 Ulster Hospital Dundonald A&E open 24 hours?
Yes. The A&E department at Ulster 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 out of hours, please contact your GP out-of-hours service. NHS 111 is being rolled out across Northern Ireland but is not yet available in all areas.
How do I get to Ulster Hospital Dundonald?
Ulster Hospital is located at Upper Newtownards Road, Dundonald, BT16 1RH. The A&E entrance is usually clearly signposted on arrival. If you need to contact them before travelling, the hospital switchboard is +44 2890 484511.