A&E data for September 2026, published 8 October 2026 · Diagnostics (DM01) data for August 2026, published 8 October 2026 · Referral to treatment (RTT) data for August 2026, published 8 October 2026
NHS waiting times in Birmingham
Birmingham, West Midlands, is served mainly by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust. This page brings together the latest published NHS England figures for A&E, scans and tests, and planned hospital treatment at those trusts, with trends and comparisons against the Midlands region and England.
A&E waiting times in Birmingham
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
In September 2026, 69.0% of the 47,503 people attending A&E at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust were admitted, transferred or discharged within 4 hours. That is 5.4 points below the England average of 74.4% and 3.9 points below the Midlands average of 72.9%. It ranks 86 of 120 trusts with a major A&E in England and 13 of 21 in Midlands (1 = highest share within 4 hours). At the main emergency department (type 1), 57.3% spent 4 hours or less, against 60.6% across England. 10,284 patients were admitted as emergencies through A&E, and 2,085 waited more than 12 hours from the decision to admit them to being admitted.
Over the last 13 months the 4-hour figure has ranged from 61.1% (January 2026) to 71.0% (July 2026); it is up 4.5 points since September 2025.
University Hospitals Birmingham: % within 4 hours of arrival England
Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust
In September 2026, 74.5% of the 21,786 people attending A&E at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust were admitted, transferred or discharged within 4 hours. That is 0.1 points above the England average of 74.4% and 1.6 points above the Midlands average of 72.9%. It ranks 49 of 120 trusts with a major A&E in England and 8 of 21 in Midlands (1 = highest share within 4 hours). At the main emergency department (type 1), 57.0% spent 4 hours or less, against 60.6% across England. 2,609 patients were admitted as emergencies through A&E, and 221 waited more than 12 hours from the decision to admit them to being admitted.
Over the last 13 months the 4-hour figure has ranged from 70.9% (January 2026) to 76.3% (September 2025); it is down 1.8 points since September 2025.
Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals: % within 4 hours of arrival England
Full A&E page for Birmingham: 13-month history, nearby A&E departments and what to do if it is not an emergency.
Scan and test waiting times in Birmingham
| Test | Waiting list | Waiting under 6 weeks | Waiting 13+ weeks | England under 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI | 7,111 | 80.3% | 258 | 78.0% |
| CT | 3,828 | 85.2% | 42 | 88.8% |
| Ultrasound | 16,455 | 57.5% | 1,265 | 78.3% |
| Endoscopy | 5,657 | 43.8% | 2,306 | 69.6% |
| Test | Waiting list | Waiting under 6 weeks | Waiting 13+ weeks | England under 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI | 8,354 | 52.4% | 630 | 78.0% |
| CT | 1,734 | 85.4% | 75 | 88.8% |
| Ultrasound | 5,233 | 86.5% | 147 | 78.3% |
| Endoscopy | 1,801 | 56.0% | 436 | 69.6% |
Detailed pages: MRI waiting times in Birmingham · CT waiting times in Birmingham · Ultrasound waiting times in Birmingham · Endoscopy waiting times in Birmingham.
Waiting times for planned hospital treatment
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
At the end of August 2026, 96,303 people were waiting to start consultant-led treatment at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. Half had waited less than 11.7 weeks (England: 12.2 weeks) and 66.6% had waited under 18 weeks, 1.4 points above the England figure of 65.2%. The NHS constitution standard is 92% within 18 weeks.
| Specialty | Waiting | Median weeks | Under 18 weeks | Over 52 weeks | England median weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other - Medicals | 11,786 | 10.0 | 72.4% | 15 | 10.7 |
| Ophthalmology | 9,466 | 12.0 | 65.4% | 53 | 10.4 |
| Gynaecology | 8,831 | 20.2 | 45.9% | 1 | 14.2 |
| Ear Nose and Throat | 8,450 | 12.8 | 67.7% | 57 | 15.4 |
| Gastroenterology | 6,672 | 11.4 | 67.2% | 0 | 11.0 |
| Urology | 6,612 | 12.2 | 65.6% | 7 | 12.2 |
| Dermatology | 5,979 | 9.8 | 70.4% | 1 | 10.5 |
| Other - Surgicals | 5,470 | 9.6 | 69.9% | 3 | 11.4 |
University Hospitals Birmingham: median RTT wait (weeks) England
Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust
At the end of August 2026, 67,228 people were waiting to start consultant-led treatment at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust. Half had waited less than 14.4 weeks (England: 12.2 weeks) and 60.1% had waited under 18 weeks, 5.1 points below the England figure of 65.2%. The NHS constitution standard is 92% within 18 weeks.
| Specialty | Waiting | Median weeks | Under 18 weeks | Over 52 weeks | England median weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ophthalmology | 7,983 | 9.5 | 78.9% | 9 | 10.4 |
| Ear Nose and Throat | 7,468 | 23.9 | 38.6% | 210 | 15.4 |
| Other - Paediatrics | 6,212 | 11.5 | 67.7% | 43 | 12.3 |
| Trauma and Orthopaedic | 6,095 | 15.3 | 58.7% | 28 | 13.9 |
| Other - Surgicals | 5,336 | 14.4 | 63.8% | 0 | 11.4 |
Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals: median RTT wait (weeks) England
ADHD and autism assessment waits in the local ICB area
ADHD: in June 2026 there were 10,335 open referrals that may be for an ADHD assessment in NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board. 4,865 (47.1%) had been open for a year or more, compared with 57.8% across England. 5,715 had no first contact recorded yet. ADHD waits by area.
Autism: in June 2026, 5,385 people had an open suspected autism referral in this ICB area, and 4,735 (87.9%) had been waiting at least 13 weeks (England 86.8%). Autism waits by area.
Nearby towns
A&E performance at the main trust for the nearest towns on this site.
| Nearby town | Distance | Main trust or board | Within 4 hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dudley | 8 miles | The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust | 80.3% |
| Wolverhampton | 12 miles | The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust | 80.0% |
| Coventry | 17 miles | University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust | 75.3% |
| Nuneaton | 18 miles | George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust | 86.7% |
| Warwick | 19 miles | South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust | 69.4% |
| Leamington Spa | 20 miles | South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust | 69.4% |
| Leicester | 34 miles | University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust | 62.1% |
| Derby | 35 miles | University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust | 67.5% |
What these figures mean
The 4-hour A&E figure is the share of people who were admitted, transferred or discharged within 4 hours of arriving. The NHS constitution standard is 95%. The diagnostics figures show how long people on the waiting list for a test had waited at the end of the month; the standard is that fewer than 1% wait 6 weeks or more. The referral to treatment (RTT) figures cover people waiting to start consultant-led treatment, against a standard of 92% within 18 weeks. These are averages for a whole trust and do not predict how long any one person will wait.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the A&E wait in Birmingham?
In September 2026, 69.0% of A&E attendances at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust were dealt with within 4 hours, against 74.4% across England. 2,085 patients waited more than 12 hours from decision to admit. Actual waits depend on how urgent your condition is.
How long is the wait for an MRI scan in Birmingham?
At the end of August 2026, 80.3% of the 7,111 people waiting for an MRI at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust had waited under 6 weeks (England 78.0%).
How long is the wait for hospital treatment in Birmingham?
The median wait for consultant-led treatment at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust was 11.7 weeks at the end of August 2026, and 66.6% of patients had waited under 18 weeks.
Which NHS trust serves Birmingham?
Birmingham is mapped to University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust on this site, based on the nearest major hospitals. Some patients may be treated by other trusts depending on where they live and are referred.
How often are these waiting times updated?
NHS England publishes A&E, diagnostics (DM01) and referral to treatment (RTT) statistics every month, usually on the second Thursday. A&E figures cover the previous month; diagnostics and RTT figures are a month further behind. This site refreshes when new files are published.