A&E Waiting Times in South West
Current A&E waiting times at every NHS hospital we track in South West. Each card shows the latest published wait, the source of the figure, and a freshness badge so you know how recent it is.
About A&E in South West
The South West covers Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire — a large geographic region with relatively few major A&E sites. That means longer travel times for patients in rural areas, and pronounced summer-tourism pressure on coastal A&Es.
Quietest hours: South West A&Es are typically quietest between 4am and 7am on weekdays. Coastal A&Es see longer waits on summer Saturday and Sunday evenings.
Region average
2 hr 34 min
across all tracked hospitals
What to know about A&E in South West
- If you are in rural Cornwall or West Devon, your nearest A&E can be 45+ minutes by road — for a serious emergency, dial 999 immediately.
- Devon Air Ambulance and Cornwall Air Ambulance provide critical-care cover for remote areas.
- Several towns are served by Minor Injuries Units (MIUs) and Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs) — much faster than A&E for sprains, cuts and minor wounds.
Who runs A&E in South West
A&E performance is reported under NHS England's South West Region. Major A&Es include Derriford in Plymouth, Royal Devon & Exeter, Royal Cornwall in Truro, and Bristol Royal Infirmary.
Major trusts & health boards in the region
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
- Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
- University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust
Browse other regions
About this South West directory
Each entry shows the current waiting time, the source of that figure, and a freshness badge — Live, Latest published, Monthly average, or Estimated — so you know exactly how recent each figure is. Read our methodology for full source disclosure.
Not a substitute for medical advice. In a life-threatening emergency, call 999. For non-urgent advice, call NHS 111.