Mater Hospital hospital building

Mater Hospital — Current A&E Queue

Open 24/7BelfastAE

Last updated just now · sourced from HSC Northern Ireland

Typical Time in Department (AE)

188

minutes · ~ 3 hr 8 min

-4 min vs previous reading

Hospital details

City
Belfast
Opening Hours
Open 24 hours every day
NHS Trust
HSC Northern Ireland
Type
Accident & Emergency (Type 1)

Mater Hospital A&E Wait Times — Last 24 Hours

TimeTypical Time in DeptChangePatientsTotal in Dept
just now20:393 hr 8 min-4 min(-2%)——
25 min ago20:143 hr 12 min-4 min(-2%)——
55 min ago19:443 hr 16 min0 min(0%)——
58 min ago19:413 hr 16 min0 min(0%)——
1h ago19:363 hr 16 min-9 min(-4%)——
1h ago19:113 hr 25 min-49 min(-19%)——
1h ago18:424 hr 14 min-19 min(-7%)——
2h ago18:174 hr 33 min+17 min(+7%)——
3h ago17:374 hr 16 min+11 min(+4%)——
3h ago17:124 hr 5 min+10 min(+4%)——
3h ago16:403 hr 55 min+39 min(+20%)——
4h ago16:153 hr 16 min+4 min(+2%)——

Mater Hospital in context

The latest reading puts Mater Hospital at roughly 3 hr 8 min. Across Northern Ireland the typical figure is around 2 hr 4 min. That puts this department noticeably above the area norm — the nearby-alternatives panel may show a shorter queue.

Wondering whether you actually need A&E?

Common Questions About Mater Hospital

How long is the queue at Mater Hospital right now?

The most recent figure shows roughly 3 hr 8 min (188 minutes) at Mater Hospital's A&E. This is pulled from the trust's public dashboard and refreshes regularly, but the actual time you wait will depend on how urgently you need treatment and how busy the department is when you arrive.

What are Mater Hospital's opening hours?

The A&E at Mater Hospital 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 Belfast be faster?

A&E at Mater Hospital 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 Mater Hospital?

Mater Hospital is in Belfast. Use the location search on this site to see the distance from where you are and compare it against other departments nearby.

When is Mater Hospital 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.