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 Portsmouth
Portsmouth, Hampshire, is served mainly by Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust. This page brings together the latest published NHS England figures for A&E, scans and tests, and planned hospital treatment at that trust, with trends and comparisons against the South East region and England.
A&E waiting times in Portsmouth
In September 2026, 71.3% of the 19,291 people attending A&E at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust were admitted, transferred or discharged within 4 hours. That is 3.1 points below the England average of 74.4% and 4.9 points below the South East average of 76.2%. It ranks 70 of 120 trusts with a major A&E in England and 12 of 17 in South East (1 = highest share within 4 hours). At the main emergency department (type 1), 60.2% spent 4 hours or less, against 60.6% across England. 3,138 patients were admitted as emergencies through A&E, and 1,202 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 71.3% (August 2026) to 76.6% (March 2026); it is down 1.3 points since September 2025.
Portsmouth Hospitals University: % within 4 hours of arrival England
Full A&E page for Portsmouth: 13-month history, nearby A&E departments and what to do if it is not an emergency.
Scan and test waiting times in Portsmouth
| Test | Waiting list | Waiting under 6 weeks | Waiting 13+ weeks | England under 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI | 2,737 | 41.0% | 993 | 78.0% |
| CT | 940 | 89.3% | 0 | 88.8% |
| Ultrasound | 3,789 | 88.7% | 12 | 78.3% |
| Endoscopy | 2,021 | 28.9% | 1,047 | 69.6% |
Detailed pages: MRI waiting times in Portsmouth · CT waiting times in Portsmouth · Ultrasound waiting times in Portsmouth · Endoscopy waiting times in Portsmouth.
Waiting times for planned hospital treatment
At the end of August 2026, 57,587 people were waiting to start consultant-led treatment at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust. Half had waited less than 13.5 weeks (England: 12.2 weeks) and 60.6% had waited under 18 weeks, 4.6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ear Nose and Throat | 7,160 | 15.8 | 55.6% | 303 | 15.4 |
| Ophthalmology | 6,978 | 15.6 | 55.9% | 158 | 10.4 |
| General Surgery | 5,621 | 11.5 | 65.9% | 148 | 12.8 |
| Gynaecology | 5,374 | 14.3 | 56.5% | 144 | 14.2 |
| Trauma and Orthopaedic | 5,011 | 18.4 | 49.1% | 173 | 13.9 |
| Gastroenterology | 4,331 | 12.4 | 66.7% | 140 | 11.0 |
| Oral Surgery | 4,285 | 22.9 | 41.7% | 462 | 16.4 |
| Dermatology | 4,201 | 9.1 | 70.9% | 23 | 10.5 |
Portsmouth Hospitals University: median RTT wait (weeks) England
ADHD and autism assessment waits in the local ICB area
ADHD: in June 2026 there were 35,050 open referrals that may be for an ADHD assessment in NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board. 25,755 (73.5%) had been open for a year or more, compared with 57.8% across England. 31,515 had no first contact recorded yet. ADHD waits by area.
Autism: in June 2026, 8,640 people had an open suspected autism referral in this ICB area, and 7,285 (84.3%) 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southampton | 16 miles | University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust | 70.7% |
| Winchester | 20 miles | Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 62.5% |
| Worthing | 31 miles | University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust | 60.6% |
| Basingstoke | 32 miles | Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 62.5% |
| Bournemouth | 35 miles | University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust | 71.8% |
| Guildford | 38 miles | Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust | 73.2% |
| Poole | 39 miles | University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust | 71.8% |
| Brighton | 41 miles | University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust | 60.6% |
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 Portsmouth?
In September 2026, 71.3% of A&E attendances at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust were dealt with within 4 hours, against 74.4% across England. 1,202 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 Portsmouth?
At the end of August 2026, 41.0% of the 2,737 people waiting for an MRI at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust had waited under 6 weeks (England 78.0%).
How long is the wait for hospital treatment in Portsmouth?
The median wait for consultant-led treatment at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust was 13.5 weeks at the end of August 2026, and 60.6% of patients had waited under 18 weeks.
Which NHS trust serves Portsmouth?
Portsmouth is mapped to Portsmouth Hospitals University 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.