Emergency care waiting times show continued pressure in Northern Ireland
Date published:
New accredited official statistics published today by NISRA statisticians in the Department of Health present emergency care waiting time statistics for Northern Ireland covering the period July to September 2025.
Key findings
- 67,578 patients physically attended urgent and emergency care services during September 2025, representing a 1.4% increase (929 patients) compared to September 2024.
- Over the quarter ending September 2025, 203,230 patients attended urgent and emergency care services, 2.5% more (4,949 patients) than the same quarter in 2024.
- Emergency admissions to hospital from emergency departments decreased by 3.8% (425 admissions) between September 2024 (11,206) and September 2025 (10,781).
- Only 44.7% of patients were treated and discharged or admitted within the four-hour target in September 2025, well below the 95% ministerial target.
- 10,879 patients spent over 12 hours in emergency departments during September 2025, compared to 11,244 in September 2024.
- The median waiting time for patients admitted to hospital was 13 hours 41 minutes in September 2025, over three times longer than for patients discharged home (3 hours 50 minutes).
- Over three quarters (76.1%) of attendances at Type 1 departments in September 2025 were triaged as level 1/2 or 3 (immediate, very urgent, or urgent), compared with 74.0% in September 2024.
- The median time from triage to start of treatment in September 2025 was 1 hour 22 minutes, 5 minutes more than September 2024.
About the publication
This statistical release provides comprehensive information on urgent and emergency care waiting times in Northern Ireland. The full report includes:
- Monthly analysis of time spent in emergency departments from July to September 2025
- Performance against Department of Health ministerial targets
- Clinical quality indicators including triage levels, time to treatment, and unplanned review attendances
- Breakdowns by hospital trust, emergency department type, and day of week
Comparative data with previous periods
The statistics are classified as 'official statistics in development' during the implementation and stabilisation of the new encompass electronic patient record system.
Further information
Read the full report: Urgent and Emergency Care Waiting Time Statistics for Northern Ireland (July - September 2025)
See more information and data tables: Northern Ireland waiting time statistics: emergency care waiting times July - September 2025