Ulster Hospital Belfast A&E Wait Times - Northern Ireland (NI)Emergency Department Live Updates (NI)
South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Current Wait Times
Last updated:
About Ulster Hospital Belfast, Northern Ireland (NI)
South Eastern Trust's Major Acute Hospital - Type 1 A&E
Full Acute Services: Ulster Hospital is the major acute hospital for the South Eastern Trust, providing comprehensive Type 1 Emergency Department (24/7), full diagnostic services, cancer care, coronary care, maternity, paediatrics, and regional plastic surgery and maxillo-facial services.
Ulster Hospital is the major acute hospital for the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, located in Dundonald, Belfast, Northern Ireland (NI). The hospital delivers the full range of acute services for the population, including a Type 1 Emergency Department which is open 24/7, a comprehensive range of diagnostic services, the full range of outpatient, inpatient and day-case medical and surgical services, cancer care, coronary care, obstetrics and paediatric services. The regional Plastic Surgery and Maxillo-Facial services are mainly delivered from the Ulster Hospital site. Serving patients across East Belfast, Dundonald, Newtownards, and the wider Ards Peninsula in Northern Ireland (NI), Ulster Hospital provides dedicated healthcare with comprehensive acute care services.
Current Service Pressure Notice
The hospital is currently experiencing significant demand on emergency services. Patients with non-urgent medical concerns may face extended waiting periods and are encouraged to consider alternative healthcare options such as the Urgent Care Centre or their local GP where appropriate.
Important: Anyone requiring emergency medical attention should not delay seeking care. The Type 1 Emergency Department remains available 24/7 for all genuine emergencies.
Visitor Notice: If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, please reconsider visiting the hospital unless absolutely necessary. If your visit cannot be postponed, please wear a face covering to help protect vulnerable patients.
Type 1 Emergency Department (A&E)
This facility is a Type 1 Emergency Department (A&E), providing comprehensive emergency care for serious and life-threatening conditions. The department is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with full resuscitation facilities. For less serious conditions, please consider the Urgent Care Centre or contacting your GP.
Contact Information
Address
Upper Newtownards Road, Dundonald, Belfast, BT16 1RH
Phone
028 9048 4511Website
Visit Hospital WebsiteOpening Hours
Emergency Department open 24 hours, 7 days per week
NHS Trust
South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Transport Information
Parking
Car parking is available at Ulster Hospital with multiple parking areas on site. The hospital has a main entrance on Upper Newtownards Road and a rear entrance accessible via Stoney Road. Parking can be busy during peak times, so please allow extra time.
Public Transport
Multiple bus routes serve Ulster Hospital from Belfast and surrounding areas. Use the Translink Journey Planner (www.translink.co.uk) to plan your route. The hospital is located on Upper Newtownards Road and is easily accessible by public transport from Belfast, Newtownards, and Bangor.
Location
Available Services
Specialties
Important Information
Wait times are estimates and may change based on patient needs and emergency situations. Patients are seen based on clinical priority, not arrival time. The most seriously ill and injured patients will always be seen first and as quickly as possible, regardless of wait times.
For emergencies such as:
- Loss of consciousness
- Acute confused state
- Chest pain
- Breathing difficulties
- Severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
- Severe allergic reactions
- Stroke symptoms
- Major trauma or serious injury
Go to A&E or call 999 immediately.
More information on when to go to A&EFrequently Asked Questions
Serving Areas Near Ulster Hospital Belfast, Northern Ireland (NI)
Ulster Hospital provides emergency and healthcare services to patients from across East Belfast, Dundonald, Ards Peninsula, Northern Ireland (NI) and surrounding areas, including:
Our real-time A&E wait time tracker helps patients from these Northern Ireland (NI) areas make informed decisions about when to visit the Type 1 Emergency Department at Ulster Hospital Belfast.
Information on this page is correct as of December 2025