Patients with a life-threatening condition are treated first and waiting times can change quickly
11:34, 10 Dec 2025Updated 12:37, 10 Dec 2025
An ambulance outside a hospital(Image: Justin Kernoghan/Belfast Live)
There are currently average waits of over twelve hours to be seen in some emergency departments across Northern Ireland.
Health officials have warned that an early outbreak of flu is driving delays in both emergency departments and the ambulance service. Over the space of two weeks, flu cases have trebled in Northern Ireland, and hospitalisation rates are rising.
According to the most recent official figures from the Public Health Agency published on December 3, cases jumped from 273 to 484 the week before up to and 954. There have also been 264 flu-related hospital admissions, up from 144 the week before.
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Hospital emergency departments treat and care for people with a serious injury or life-threatening condition. When you go for treatment, staff will assess your medical condition.
Patients with a serious injury or life-threatening condition are treated first, and waiting times can change quickly.
Average A&E waiting times in Northern Ireland, December 10
Last updated: 12.00 pm, Wednesday 10 December 2025.
To see the most up-to-date average waiting times at emergency departments, click here.
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