Ulster Hospital — Current A&E Queue
Last updated just now · sourced from HSC Northern Ireland
Typical Time in Department (AE)
minutes · ~ 3 hr 51 min
-5 min vs previous reading
About Ulster Hospital
The Ulster Hospital is a large acute hospital in Dundonald, on the outskirts of Belfast, part of the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust. The hospital serves a population of approximately 350,000 across the greater Belfast area, North Down, Ards, and Lisburn. The Emergency Department handles over 90,000 attendances per year and is one of the busiest in Northern Ireland. The hospital has undergone a phased redevelopment programme including a new inpatient ward block and refurbished emergency care facilities. The Ulster Hospital provides comprehensive acute services and is a key hospital for the eastern region.
Hospital details
- City
- Dundonald
- Opening Hours
- Open 24 hours every day
- NHS Trust
- HSC Northern Ireland
- Type
- Accident & Emergency (Type 1)
Ulster Hospital A&E Wait Times — Last 24 Hours
| Time | Typical Time in Dept | Change | Patients | Total in Dept |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| just now19:36 | 3 hr 51 min | -5 min(-2%) | — | — |
| 26 min ago19:10 | 3 hr 56 min | +10 min(+4%) | — | — |
| 54 min ago18:42 | 3 hr 46 min | +1 min(0%) | — | — |
| 1h ago18:17 | 3 hr 45 min | +5 min(+2%) | — | — |
| 1h ago17:37 | 3 hr 40 min | +23 min(+12%) | — | — |
| 2h ago17:13 | 3 hr 17 min | -6 min(-3%) | — | — |
| 2h ago16:39 | 3 hr 23 min | -4 min(-2%) | — | — |
| 3h ago16:14 | 3 hr 27 min | -4 min(-2%) | — | — |
| 3h ago15:38 | 3 hr 31 min | +3 min(+1%) | — | — |
| 4h ago15:13 | 3 hr 28 min | +2 min(+1%) | — | — |
| 4h ago14:38 | 3 hr 26 min | -2 min(-1%) | — | — |
| 5h ago14:13 | 3 hr 28 min | +18 min(+9%) | — | — |
Ulster Hospital in context
The latest reading puts Ulster Hospital at roughly 3 hr 51 min. Across Northern Ireland the typical figure is around 2 hr 31 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 Ulster Hospital
How long is the queue at Ulster Hospital right now?
The most recent figure shows roughly 3 hr 51 min (231 minutes) at Ulster 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 Ulster Hospital's opening hours?
The A&E at Ulster 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 Dundonald be faster?
A&E at Ulster 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 Ulster Hospital?
Ulster Hospital is in Dundonald. Use the location search on this site to see the distance from where you are and compare it against other departments nearby.
When is Ulster 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.
Other Departments Nearby
5.9 km
Lagan Valley Hospital
Lisburn
UTCAvg: 26 min
7.3 km
Royal Children's Hospital
Belfast
~ 4 hr 33 min
7.4 km
Royal Victoria Hospital
Belfast
~ 4 hr 24 min
8.5 km
Mater Hospital
Belfast
~ 2 hr 59 min
29.3 km
South Tyrone Hospital
Dungannon
Avg: 3 min
Queue Colour Guide
Related guides
Page content is periodically verified against official sources. All queue data comes from NHS Trust dashboards and government statistical releases.