University Hospital of Wales — Current A&E Queue
Also known as: UHW, Heath Hospital, Cardiff A&E
Last updated — · sourced from NHS Wales (via aeinfo.nhs.wales)
Typical Time in Department (AE)
No live feed — typical wait
208
minutes · ~ 3 hr 28 min
56.4% seen within 4 hours
Estimate from StatsWales official statistics (June 2026) — not live
About University Hospital of Wales
University Hospital of Wales (UHW) is the largest hospital in Wales, located in the Heath area of Cardiff. Managed by Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, it is a major teaching hospital and tertiary referral centre serving the population of Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan, and wider South Wales. The Emergency Department is one of the busiest in the UK, handling over 100,000 attendances per year. UHW is a major trauma centre for South and West Wales and provides specialist services in neurosurgery, cardiac surgery, transplant, and paediatric intensive care. The hospital has approximately 1,000 beds.
Hospital details
- City
- Cardiff, CF14 4XW
- Opening Hours
- Open: 24 hours, 7 days a week
- NHS Trust
- NHS Wales (via aeinfo.nhs.wales)
- Type
- Accident & Emergency (Type 1)
Departments & Services
University Hospital of Wales in context
No recent data is available for University Hospital of Wales. Refresh later or contact the trust directly for up-to-the-minute information.
Wondering whether you actually need A&E?Common Questions About University Hospital of Wales
How long is the queue at University Hospital of Wales right now?
We do not have a current reading for University Hospital of Wales. Try refreshing later, or ring the hospital switchboard for the latest situation.
What are University Hospital of Wales's opening hours?
The A&E at University Hospital of Wales 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 Cardiff be faster?
A&E at University Hospital of Wales 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 University Hospital of Wales?
University Hospital of Wales is in Cardiff, postcode CF14 4XW. Use the location search on this site to see the distance from where you are and compare it against other departments nearby.
When is University Hospital of Wales 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
18.3 km
The Grange University Hospital
Llanfrechfa
29.9 km
Prince Charles Hospital
Merthyr Tydfil
41.2 km
Southmead Hospital
Bristol
41.7 km
Bristol Royal Infirmary
Bristol
54.8 km
Morriston Hospital
Swansea
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.