waitingtime.co.uk

A&E performance league table

Every general A&E hospital in England and Scotland, ranked by the proportion of patients seen within four hours. Figures are the official published numbers for March 2026. Low is bad. High is good.

Period: March 2026 169 hospitals ranked Source: NHS England + Public Health Scotland

How to read this table honestly

A league table compares hospitals, but the number behind it depends on who walks through the door. A hospital seeing mostly minor injuries will look fast; one taking the region's major trauma, strokes and cardiac arrests will look slow even when it is working well. These figures do not measure how good the care is — they measure how quickly an A&E moves people through, which is affected by staffing, bed availability and how many patients arrived that month.

Ranked hospitals have at least 2,500 attendances in the month. Smaller units are excluded because a percentage from a few hundred patients swings wildly and would misrepresent the hospital. They remain listed in all hospitals.

Two measures, and they disagree

The four-hour measure and the twelve-hour measure do not produce the same ranking, and that is a real signal rather than an inconsistency. A hospital can be slow for most people yet almost never leave anyone waiting twelve hours; another can be roughly average overall but repeatedly leave its sickest patients waiting half a day.

Worst on four hours

Kingston Hospital, Derriford Hospital, Royal Stoke University Hospital, Royal Shrewsbury Hospital

Worst on twelve hours

Warrington Hospital, Countess Of Chester Hospital, Whiston Hospital, Royal Shrewsbury Hospital

Longest waits — 169 hospitals, worst first

# Hospital Area Seen in 4h 12h waits Attendances
1 Kingston Hospital London 37.2% 1,030 7,475
2 Derriford Hospital South West 39.4% 1,725 9,235
3 Royal Stoke University Hospital West Midlands 42.2% 2,055 11,340
4 Royal Shrewsbury Hospital West Midlands 43.5% 1,140 5,150
5 Scarborough General Hospital Yorkshire and The Humber 44.4% 720 4,820
6 Basingstoke And North Hampshire Hospital South East 45.4% 385 6,205
7 The Princess Royal Hospital West Midlands 46.8% 1,060 6,555
8 Queen Elizabeth Hospital London 47.1% 1,065 8,810
9 Blackpool Victoria Hospital North West 47.1% 1,125 5,705
10 Torbay Hospital South West 47.4% 770 7,295
11 The Great Western Hospital South West 47.9% 1,005 6,240
12 Macclesfield District General Hospital North West 48.0% 710 4,200
13 Arrowe Park Hospital North West 48.2% 1,625 8,460
14 Bristol Royal Infirmary South West 48.5% 680 7,230
15 Countess Of Chester Hospital North West 49.3% 1,285 5,415
16 Warrington Hospital North West 49.4% 1,770 7,345
17 Musgrove Park Hospital South West 49.9% 300 7,375
18 Northern General Hospital Yorkshire and The Humber 49.9% 530 9,255
19 Mid Essex Hospital East of England 50.6% 1,100 7,910
20 Cumberland Infirmary North West 50.8% 665 5,570
21 Lister Hospital East of England 50.9% 730 9,210
22 University Hospital Lewisham London 51.0% 555 7,275
23 Royal Cornwall Hospital (Treliske) South West 51.1% 1,020 6,940
24 The Royal London Hospital London 51.3% 1,490 9,870
25 Colchester General Hospital East of England 51.8% 1,110 6,835
26 University Hospital Of North Tees North East 52.3% 40 5,070
27 Princess Royal University Hospital London 52.5% 1,045 6,915
28 William Harvey Hospital (Ashford) South East 52.5% 1,455 7,565
29 Royal Lancaster Infirmary North West 52.7% 795 5,055
30 University Hospital Aintree North West 53.0% 1,395 8,230
31 Southend Hospital East of England 53.2% 1,055 9,555
32 Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital Yorkshire and The Humber 53.7% 835 5,720
33 Leighton Hospital North West 54.2% 1,560 8,645
34 Salisbury District Hospital South West 54.3% 595 5,075
35 Newham General Hospital London 54.5% 845 7,505
36 Chesterfield Royal Hospital East Midlands 54.6% 380 7,900
37 Basildon Hospital East of England 54.6% 1,250 11,125
38 East Surrey Hospital South East 54.6% 1,525 10,560
39 The James Cook University Hospital North East 54.7% 180 7,760
40 North Devon District Hospital South West 54.7% 455 5,895
41 Gloucestershire Royal Hospital South West 55.3% 1,340 10,510
42 Peterborough City Hospital East of England 55.7% 1,770 10,555
43 St Richard's Hospital South East 56.1% 685 7,100
44 Worcestershire Royal Hospital West Midlands 56.1% 1,210 8,710
45 Scunthorpe General Hospital Yorkshire and The Humber 56.2% 695 5,135
46 Royal Bolton Hospital North West 56.4% 920 8,695
47 Pinderfields General Hospital Yorkshire and The Humber 56.5% 1,360 10,610
48 St Peter's Hospital South East 56.6% 1,190 7,635
49 Hereford County Hospital West Midlands 56.8% 840 6,210
50 Midland Metropolitan University Hospital West Midlands 56.8% 1,560 12,285
51 Royal Derby Hospital East Midlands 57.6% 2,105 15,240
52 The Queen Elizabeth Hospital East of England 57.6% 1,005 7,000
53 Royal Albert Edward Infirmary North West 57.6% 1,345 6,850
54 Burton Hospital West Midlands 57.6% 410 7,000
55 King George Hospital London 57.7% 715 4,910
56 Hillingdon Hospital London 57.9% 365 5,345
57 Southport And Formby District General Hospital North West 57.9% 1,065 4,975
58 Worthing Hospital South East 57.9% 930 8,660
59 Royal Hampshire County Hospital South East 58.0% 165 4,450
60 Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham West Midlands 58.0% 1,180 11,140
61 Hull Royal Infirmary Yorkshire and The Humber 58.0% 910 11,865
62 Whiston Hospital North West 58.4% 2,305 10,325
63 Queen Elizabeth Hospital North East 58.6% 310 6,305
64 Addenbrooke's Hospital East of England 58.7% 1,150 11,975
65 County Hospital West Midlands 58.7% 230 4,525
66 Nottingham University Hospitals Nhs Trust - Queen's Medical Centre Campus East Midlands 59.0% 3,270 19,405
67 St Thomas' Hospital London 59.2% 140 10,750
68 Southmead Hospital South West 59.5% 875 9,340
69 York Hospital Yorkshire and The Humber 60.1% 445 7,515
70 Tameside General Hospital North West 60.2% 645 8,995
71 University Hospital Of North Durham North East 60.8% 605 7,420
72 Royal Oldham Hospital North West 60.8% 1,235 10,405
73 Charing Cross Hospital London 61.0% 640 5,570
74 West Middlesex University Hospital London 61.1% 325 7,695
75 Yeovil District Hospital South West 61.3% 140 4,745
76 Heartlands Hospital West Midlands 61.7% 1,845 13,600
77 Furness General Hospital North West 61.8% 280 3,675
78 Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital South East 61.8% 995 7,480
79 Good Hope Hospital West Midlands 61.9% 1,265 9,810
80 Stepping Hill Hospital North West 62.1% 930 8,420
81 West Cumberland Hospital North West 62.2% 180 3,835
82 Royal United Hospital South West 62.2% 790 9,440
83 North Middlesex Hospital London 62.6% 1,330 9,280
84 Salford Royal North West 62.6% 1,200 9,125
85 Royal Liverpool University Hospital North West 62.8% 1,545 10,535
86 Royal Preston Hospital North West 62.8% 1,315 9,970
87 Dorset County Hospital South West 62.8% 615 5,120
88 Bedford Hospital South Wing East of England 63.2% 305 7,790
89 Royal Bournemouth Hospital South West 63.8% 1,040 10,190
90 Wythenshawe Hospital North West 63.9% 395 9,795
91 Kettering General Hospital East Midlands 64.0% 1,055 11,555
92 James Paget University Hospital East of England 64.8% 660 7,950
93 St James's University Hospital Yorkshire and The Humber 65.0% 1,020 8,545
94 Manchester Royal Infirmary North West 65.1% 450 9,580
95 North Manchester General Hospital North West 65.1% 425 8,405
96 King's College Hospital (Denmark Hill) London 65.5% 835 9,190
97 Queen's Hospital London 65.6% 1,435 10,660
98 Fairfield General Hospital North West 65.6% 350 5,410
99 Northwick Park Hospital London 65.7% 1,205 10,065
100 Whipps Cross University Hospital London 66.0% 1,265 9,240
101 Alexandra Hospital West Midlands 66.1% 300 5,740
102 Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital (Wonford) South West 66.3% 160 9,250
103 Leicester Royal Infirmary East Midlands 66.7% 2,055 25,360
104 Poole Hospital South West 66.7% 540 8,295
105 Airedale General Hospital Yorkshire and The Humber 67.1% 685 5,590
106 Lincoln County Hospital East Midlands 67.2% 1,185 9,835
107 Weston General Hospital South West 67.4% 440 4,900
108 St Mary's Hospital (Hq) London 67.7% 480 6,860
109 University Hospital (Coventry) West Midlands 67.9% 1,535 15,950
110 Royal Surrey County Hospital South East 68.0% 455 8,055
111 Milton Keynes Hospital South East 68.1% 455 9,065
112 Princess Alexandra Hospital East of England 68.2% 660 7,590
113 Darlington Memorial Hospital North East 68.7% 450 7,110
114 Stoke Mandeville Hospital South East 68.7% 765 9,835
115 St George's Hospital (Tooting) London 68.8% 730 8,990
116 Sunderland Royal Hospital North East 68.8% 85 10,205
117 Conquest Hospital South East 68.9% 505 5,750
118 Pilgrim Hospital East Midlands 69.0% 835 8,065
119 Rotherham District General Hospital Yorkshire and The Humber 69.0% 380 9,770
120 Chelsea & Westminster Hospital London 69.1% 220 5,005
121 Queen Alexandra Hospital South East 69.1% 1,610 14,205
122 King's Mill Hospital East Midlands 69.2% 560 11,040
123 Royal Blackburn Hospital North West 69.3% 1,780 13,930
124 Ealing Hospital London 69.4% 260 3,660
125 Croydon University Hospital London 69.5% 1,320 13,410
126 Medway Maritime Hospital South East 69.6% 1,135 10,135
127 John Radcliffe Hospital South East 69.8% 245 9,860
128 The Whittington Hospital London 69.9% 630 7,570
129 South Tyneside District Hospital North East 70.0% 75 4,580
130 St Helier Hospital London 70.2% 1,060 7,000
131 Southampton General Hospital South East 70.4% 475 13,395
132 Frimley Park Hospital South East 71.0% 835 13,160
133 Eastbourne District General Hospital South East 71.1% 530 5,945
134 Royal Berkshire Hospital South East 71.2% 645 15,355
135 Wexham Park Hospital South East 71.3% 895 12,735
136 Leeds General Infirmary Yorkshire and The Humber 71.5% 460 12,470
137 Emergency Department South East 71.7% 720 5,510
138 The Royal Victoria Infirmary North East 71.8% 190 17,305
139 West Suffolk Hospital East of England 72.0% 600 8,115
140 Doncaster Royal Infirmary Yorkshire and The Humber 72.0% 295 10,305
141 Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital East of England 72.5% 645 13,475
142 Harrogate District Hospital Yorkshire and The Humber 72.7% 55 5,290
143 New Cross Hospital West Midlands 73.6% 1,600 14,360
144 Luton & Dunstable Hospital East of England 74.3% 190 9,960
145 Barnet Hospital London 74.9% 990 9,190
146 Northampton General Hospital (Acute) East Midlands 75.0% 1,515 13,740
147 The Tunbridge Wells Hospital South East 75.1% 820 9,110
148 Bradford Royal Infirmary Yorkshire and The Humber 75.1% 760 9,445
149 Darent Valley Hospital South East 75.7% 1,020 12,225
150 Epsom Hospital South East 75.8% 615 5,215
151 Dewsbury & District Hospital Yorkshire and The Humber 77.2% 215 6,170
152 Royal Free Hospital London 77.4% 895 9,165
153 Bassetlaw Hospital East Midlands 78.4% 185 6,480
154 Warwick Hospital West Midlands 79.1% 420 8,635
155 The Maidstone Hospital South East 79.4% 455 9,230
156 University College Hospital London 79.8% 360 17,255
157 Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital North East 79.8% 30 11,040
158 Russells Hall Hospital West Midlands 80.1% 450 10,360
159 Barnsley Hospital Yorkshire and The Humber 80.5% 55 9,460
160 Horton General Hospital South East 80.8% 10 4,315
161 Manor Hospital West Midlands 81.3% 335 9,830
162 Hinchingbrooke Hospital East of England 81.4% 110 6,170
163 Watford General Hospital East of England 81.5% 320 8,610
164 Homerton University Hospital London 82.0% 65 11,415
165 Ipswich Hospital East of England 82.1% 615 8,865
166 Huddersfield Royal Infirmary Yorkshire and The Humber 86.1% 225 7,830
167 Calderdale Royal Hospital Yorkshire and The Humber 87.3% 145 8,460
168 George Eliot Hospital - Acute Services West Midlands 88.7% 275 7,540
169 Ormskirk And District General Hospital North West 94.7% 0 3,015

Percentages are rounded to one decimal place. "12h waits" counts patients who waited more than twelve hours from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge.

Shortest waits

Read this list with the same caution as the one above — these are not automatically the best places to be treated.

Hospital Area Seen in 4h Attendances
Ormskirk And District General Hospital North West 94.7% 3,015
George Eliot Hospital - Acute Services West Midlands 88.7% 7,540
Calderdale Royal Hospital Yorkshire and The Humber 87.3% 8,460
Huddersfield Royal Infirmary Yorkshire and The Humber 86.1% 7,830
Ipswich Hospital East of England 82.1% 8,865
Homerton University Hospital London 82.0% 11,415
Watford General Hospital East of England 81.5% 8,610
Hinchingbrooke Hospital East of England 81.4% 6,170

What this table does not tell you

Never use this table in an emergency. In a life-threatening emergency call 999. For non-urgent advice call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk. Never travel past your nearest A&E to save time.

Reproduce this yourself

Every figure here comes from open data, and you do not have to take our word for it. The machine-readable version of the underlying dataset is at /api/hospitals, and the source files, collection dates and method are documented on Sources & method.