Bristol Royal Infirmary hospital building

Bristol Royal Infirmary — Current A&E Queue

Also known as: BRI, Bristol Royal, BRI A&E

Open 24/7BristolAE

Last updated — · sourced from University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust

Typical Time in Department (AE)

No live feed — typical wait

171

minutes · ~ 2 hr 51 min

69.9% seen within 4 hours

Estimate from NHS England official statistics (August 2026) — not live

About Bristol Royal Infirmary

Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI) is a large teaching hospital in the centre of Bristol. Part of University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, the hospital is a major trauma centre for the Severn area and provides specialist services in cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, and vascular surgery. The Emergency Department handles approximately 90,000 attendances per year. The BRI has strong academic links with the University of Bristol and is a leading centre for clinical research and medical education. The hospital campus is adjacent to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, which provides specialist paediatric services for the region.

Hospital details

City
Bristol, BS2 8HW
Opening Hours
Open: 24 hours, 7 days a week
NHS Trust
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust
Type
Accident & Emergency (Type 1)

Departments & Services

Emergency Department (A&E)
Major Trauma Centre
Cardiac Surgery
Neurosurgery
Vascular Surgery
Critical Care
Acute Medicine
General Surgery
Oncology
Radiology

Bristol Royal Infirmary in context

No recent data is available for Bristol Royal Infirmary. Refresh later or contact the trust directly for up-to-the-minute information.

Wondering whether you actually need A&E?

Common Questions About Bristol Royal Infirmary

How long is the queue at Bristol Royal Infirmary right now?

We do not have a current reading for Bristol Royal Infirmary. Try refreshing later, or ring the hospital switchboard for the latest situation.

What are Bristol Royal Infirmary's opening hours?

The A&E at Bristol Royal Infirmary runs around the clock — 24 hours, seven days a week, bank holidays included. No appointment is needed; patients are assessed on arrival and seen in order of clinical urgency, not arrival time.

Do I actually need A&E, or could a UTC near Bristol be faster?

A&E at Bristol Royal Infirmary is the right place for anything that could be life-threatening — chest pain, stroke symptoms, uncontrolled bleeding, serious breathing problems or major injuries. For less severe issues (sprains, small cuts, minor fractures, bites, burns), a nearby Urgent Treatment Centre will almost always see you sooner. If you are unsure, ring 111 — they can point you to the best service and sometimes book you a timed slot.

How do I get to Bristol Royal Infirmary?

Bristol Royal Infirmary is in Bristol, postcode BS2 8HW. Use the location search on this site to see the distance from where you are and compare it against other departments nearby.

When is Bristol Royal Infirmary A&E typically quietest?

Nationally, emergency departments see the fewest arrivals between about 6 am and 9 am. Demand tends to peak on Monday mornings, weekday evenings after 6 pm, and on Friday and Saturday nights. Arriving during a quieter window — if your condition allows it — can noticeably cut the time you spend waiting.

Queue Colour Guide

Wait < 120 mins
Wait 120-240 mins
Wait > 240 mins
Checked for accuracy

Page content is periodically verified against official sources. All queue data comes from NHS Trust dashboards and government statistical releases.