Accident and emergency (A&E) waiting times can be long for Manchester 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.
Be Informed
In November 2024, The Guardian published a piece where coroners warned of the risks posed by delayed discharges in Manchester hospitals. The report highlighted that shortages in social care placements are leading to critical bed shortages in A&E, forcing patients to endure extended waits in overcrowded corridors. The article called for urgent systemic reform to improve the discharge process, reduce A&E congestion, and ultimately prevent avoidable deaths.
In September 2024, the Financial Times reported on the growing pressures in Manchester’s emergency services. The article explained that rising patient numbers, staffing shortages, and constrained funding have led to overcrowded A&E departments at several city hospitals. Local leaders are now being urged to work with a range of stakeholders—from local authorities to private partners—to implement a long‑term strategy that addresses both the immediate surge in demand and the broader systemic issues affecting patient flow.
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.
Manchester Hospitals by Waiting Times
Below are hospitals in Manchester, England by ranking of waiting times:
- 🥇 Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh (WWL) NHS Foundation Trust has the shortest A&E waiting time at 63% chance of waiting less than four hours in Manchester
- 🥈 Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, with 53% chance of waiting less than four hours, ranks second for the shortest A&E waiting time in Manchester
- 🥉 Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, with 53% chance of waiting less than four hours, ranks third for the shortest A&E waiting time in Manchester
- Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, with 53% chance of waiting less than four hours, ranks fourth for the shortest A&E waiting time in Manchester
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, with 53% chance of waiting less than four hours, ranks fifth for the shortest A&E waiting time in Manchester
Understand Systemic Challenges
In Manchester, protracted waiting times in accident and emergency (A&E) departments are less the result of isolated inefficiencies than the visible symptom of deep‐rooted, systemic challenges. The pressures on Manchester’s emergency services mirror those in many urban centres across the country—where rising demand, constrained resources, and fragmented social care intersect to create a perfect storm of delays and compromised patient care.
Over the past decade, Manchester’s population growth, coupled with an increase in chronic and complex health conditions, has escalated pressure on A&E departments. As more patients seek urgent care—often due to difficulties accessing primary care services—the number of attendances has surged beyond the capacity of many hospitals. High bed occupancy levels, particularly during seasonal peaks, mean that once patients enter A&E, rapid transfer to inpatient wards is frequently impossible. This has led to patients languishing in corridors and waiting extended hours for treatment.
One of the most critical bottlenecks is the delay in discharging patients who are medically fit to leave. In Manchester, like in other parts of England, insufficient availability of community and social care placements means that patients remain in hospital beds far longer than necessary. These delays are not only detrimental to patient flow but also create a ripple effect that worsens overcrowding in A&E. Coroners have recently warned that systemic failures—including the inability to secure timely discharges—are contributing to preventable patient death. Such findings underscore how fragmented adult care and underfunded community services exacerbate the crisis in emergency departments.
Staff shortages compound these capacity issues. In Manchester, as elsewhere in the NHS, the recruitment and retention of experienced clinical staff have been hampered by funding constraints, an aging workforce, and increasing burnout. Moreover, outdated IT systems and logistical inefficiencies hinder the real‐time tracking of patients, further undermining efforts to streamline the patient journey. These infrastructure challenges mean that even when there is intent at the managerial level to reform, practical barriers prevent rapid and effective implementation of improvements.
The A&E four-hour target, originally introduced as a means to ensure timely care, now appears to be both a blunt instrument and a source of unintended consequences. While the policy was designed to drive efficiency, its rigid application has at times led to “target chasing” rather than genuine improvements in patient care. In Manchester, attempts to meet these targets have occasionally resulted in premature discharges or administrative maneuvers that mask underlying issues rather than resolving them.
Consider Other Care Options
In Manchester, alternative care options have been expanding in response to growing pressure on A&E departments. NHS 111 is central to this strategy. Operating around the clock, this free service directs patients to the most appropriate local care pathway. Callers receive advice on whether they should seek help at an A&E, visit a GP, or use another service entirely.
Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs) offer another accessible route for non-life-threatening conditions. Many UTCs in Manchester provide same-day appointments without the need for a prior referral. They are equipped to handle minor injuries and illnesses, which helps to divert patients away from overcrowded emergency departments.
General Practitioner out-of-hours services are also increasingly vital. For issues that arise when regular GP surgeries are closed, these services ensure patients can still access timely care. The combination of GP out-of-hours services, community pharmacies, and walk-in centres creates a network that reduces unnecessary A&E attendances.
For those seeking faster private care, Manchester offers options like Urgent Care 365 and other private clinics. These centres typically provide quicker access, sometimes with appointments as short as 15 minutes from arrival. While these services come at a cost, they are an alternative for patients who wish to avoid long NHS waiting times.