NHS West Cornwall Hospital Live UTC Waiting Times
Also known as: West Cornwall Hospital, Penzance UTC, WCH Penzance
Last updated sourced from Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
Currently Closed
This Urgent Treatment Centre is currently closed. Please check back during opening hours (8am to 8pm).
Every day, 8am to midnight
Hospital details
Penzance, TR18 2PF
About West Cornwall Hospital
West Cornwall Hospital is a community hospital on St Clare Street in Penzance, operated by Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust. It serves the population of west Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly with around 80 inpatient beds across two medical wards, a Frailty Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) service, day-case surgery, a renal unit and a wide range of outpatient clinics. The on-site Urgent Treatment Centre is open 8am to midnight every day, with on-site X-ray available 8am-8pm daily, and treats urgent but non-life-threatening problems including minor falls, simple arm and leg fractures, deep cuts, minor burns and scalds, urinary infections and minor head injuries. West Cornwall Hospital does not have a 24/7 A&E — for chest pain, stroke or major trauma always call 999; the nearest A&E is the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro, around 30 miles away. Current West Cornwall Hospital UTC waiting times are tracked here in real time, sourced from the NHS England feed and Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust.
Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC)
An Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) is for urgent but non life-threatening illnesses and injuries that need same-day care — sprains, suspected broken bones, minor head injuries, infections and feverish illness. UTCs do NOT treat life-threatening emergencies. Call NHS 111 first to be directed to the right service. In a true emergency, call 999.
Departments & Services
- Urgent Treatment Centre (daily 8am-midnight, walk-in)
- On-site X-ray (daily 8am-8pm)
- Two Medical Inpatient Wards (~80 beds total)
- Frailty Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC)
- Day-case Surgery
- Renal Unit
- Outpatient Clinics (eyes, ENT, orthopaedics, hepatology, respiratory, vascular, cardiology)
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Pharmacy
- Note: no 24/7 A&E — emergencies → Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro (~30 miles)
Recent Wait Time Updates
| Date & Time | Wait Time | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 25 Apr01:49 | 0 mins | — |
| Sat 25 Apr00:49 | 0 mins | — |
| Fri 24 Apr23:49 | 0 mins | — |
| Fri 24 Apr22:49 | 0 mins | — |
| Fri 24 Apr21:49 | 0 mins | — |
Nearest A&E alternatives
See live A&E wait times at other NHS hospitals near West Cornwall Hospital
How West Cornwall Hospital compares to nearby hospitals
Within South West, West Cornwall Hospital Penzance 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 Penzance residents, the practical question is rarely "is West Cornwall 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 Penzance 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.
West Cornwall Hospital A&E — frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions about waiting times and visiting this A&E.
What is the average UTC waiting time at West Cornwall Hospital?
As of the latest update, the current UTC wait at West Cornwall Hospital Penzance is currently unavailable. 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 West Cornwall Hospital UTC least busy?
Across most UK Urgent Treatment Centres, 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 West Cornwall Hospital.
Is there a way to check UTC wait times for West Cornwall Hospital?
Yes, you can check the live UTC waiting times for West Cornwall Hospital Penzance right here on this page. We update this data regularly based on the information provided by Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust.
How long can West Cornwall Hospital UTC make you wait?
Urgent Treatment Centres like West Cornwall Hospital are designed for minor injuries and illnesses, not life-threatening emergencies. Most patients are seen within a few hours, but waits depend on how busy the unit is and the nature of your condition. If your condition is potentially serious, you should go to a full A&E department or call 999.
How often are wait times updated at West Cornwall Hospital?
The wait times for West Cornwall Hospital Penzance 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 West Cornwall 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 UTC department. It gives an indication of the maximum wait you might experience for non-life-threatening conditions.
What are the opening hours of West Cornwall Hospital?
West Cornwall Hospital Penzance is an Urgent Treatment Centre and is not open 24 hours a day. Current opening hours: 8am to 8pm. For 24-hour emergency care, go to your nearest A&E department or, if your condition is life-threatening, call 999. For non-urgent medical concerns, please call NHS 111 first.
How do I get to West Cornwall Hospital?
West Cornwall Hospital Penzance is located at St Clare Street, Penzance, TR18 2PF. The UTC entrance is usually clearly signposted on arrival. If you need to contact them before travelling, the hospital switchboard is +44 1736 874000.