Accident and emergency (A&E) waiting times can be long for Leeds residents. Long A&E waiting times can delay critical care, reduce patient satisfaction, and increase the risk of complications.
⬇️ Scroll down to compare hospitals by A&E waiting times. Verify the expected A&E waiting time at the hospital.
💡 Consider advice for protecting yourself from germs and preparing for long waiting times.
A&E waiting time is defined as the time from (a) the time when the decision is made to admit, or when treatment in A&E is completed, whichever is later; to (b) the time when the patient is admitted.
A&E waiting times are estimated based upon available data from the National Health Service.
Recent News
In January 2025, The Sun reported damning findings from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Whistleblower accounts revealed that, over the past five years, preventable failures in care contributed to the needless deaths of 56 babies and two mothers. The investigation described how “tick-box” responses from staff and inadequate escalation of care in crowded A&E and maternity units led to tragic outcomes, highlighting deep systemic issues in patient safety and service delivery.
Just days earlier, The Times published a report on December 27, 2024, advocating for a radical shift in diagnostic pathways. Researchers are urging that patients with lung cancer symptoms be allowed to self-refer for chest x-rays—an initiative already piloted in Leeds and Greater Manchester. The proposal aims to cut diagnostic delays that often leave patients waiting weeks for a GP appointment, potentially enabling earlier detection and improving survival rates for a disease that claims nearly 35,000 lives a year in the UK.
Protect Yourself & Loved Ones
Crowded waiting rooms can increase your risk of exposure to diseases. Hospitals are often filled with patients with contagious conditions. Protect yourself as you wait for emergency care.
- 😷 Wear a mask. Protect yourself from respiratory illnesses. Masks are particularly effective during flu seasons.
- 🧴 Practice hand hygiene. Contact with shared surfaces, such as chairs, doorknobs, and check-in kiosks, can expose you to pathogens. Regularly wash your hands with soap and water. Use a hand sanitizer.
- 📱 Protect belongings. Germs can transfer to your belongings. Keep personal items, such as phones and bags, away from shared surfaces. Sanitize personal items with disinfecting wipes at home.
- 💪🏼 Boost your immune system. Build an extra layer of protection with supplements. Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and zinc can boost immune function to fight infections.
Prepare for Long Waiting Times
Long waiting times are often unavoidable, especially during peak times or for non-urgent conditions. Prepare for an extended stay to be more comfortable and to reduce stress.
- 🧣 Bring comfort aids. Prolonged sitting can be uncomfortable, especially for older adults. Bring a neck pillow, lumbar cushion, and percussion massager.
- 🎮 Bring entertainment. Entertainment can reduce stress and boredom. Bring a mobile electronic device, such as tablets, laptops and phones.
- 🎧 Wear noise-cancelling headphones. Hospitals can be noisy environments, which can increase stress. Wear noise-cancelling headphones to block out the commotion.
- 🍪 Pack healthy snacks. Hospitals may have limited food options. Bring snacks to sustain energy levels. Check with the doctor or nurse practitioner if fasting is required. Consider trail mix, whole-grain crackers or granola bars.
- 🧦 Dress comfortably. Hospitals can have variable temperatures. Dress in layers. Wear comfortable clothing.
Leeds Hospitals by Waiting Times
Below are hospitals in Leeds, England by ranking of waiting times:
- 🥇 Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has the shortest A&E waiting time at 69% chance of waiting less than four hours in Leeds
- 🥈 Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, with 68% chance of waiting less than four hours, ranks second for the shortest A&E waiting time in Leeds
- 🥉 Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, with 49% chance of waiting less than four hours, ranks third for the shortest A&E waiting time in Leeds
- Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, with 100% chance of waiting over 12 hours, ranks fourth for the shortest A&E waiting time in Leeds
Plan Ahead for Peak Times
Planning your visit to the emergency department can significantly impact waiting times, particularly if the medical issue is not urgent.
Mondays tend to be the busiest day of the week in hospital emergency departments. The accumulation of non-emergency cases over the weekend often result in a surge of patient volume on the first work day of the week. If your condition allows for flexibility in seeking care, consider the day of the week for your visit. Avoid Mondays and weekends.
Demand seasonality may also affect waiting times in emergency departments, particularly among younger patients. Young children, aged 0 to 5, see a rise in emergency visits during autumn, with a notable decline in the summer months. Children, aged 5 to 19, experience a peak in spring and a similar decrease in the summer.
The time of day is unlikely to significantly reduce waiting times, as hospitals align staff availability with patient volumes. During standard business hours, from morning to early evening, full staffing is in place. However, higher patient volumes during these times can create bottlenecks. Even with more medical personnel, increased demand can still lead to longer waits as emergency departments handle the influx of patients.
Consider Other Care Options
If medical conditions are not urgent, you can consider alternative care options:
- Family doctors can serve as the primary point of contact for managing ongoing or non-urgent medical concerns. They provide comprehensive and personalized care, often maintaining detailed records of a patient’s medical history, which facilitates continuity of care and long-term management of health conditions.
- Walk-in clinics can offer convenient medical services for minor injuries or illnesses without the requirement of an appointment.
- Urgent care centers can provide medical attention for non-life-threatening conditions, such as minor fractures or severe flu symptoms. These centers typically offer faster service compared to emergency departments.