Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust: A&E Waiting Times Index
Real NHS England A&E waiting-time data for March 2026 — how long patients wait in this trust’s major (Type 1) A&E, scored on the Gera A&E Waiting Times Index (higher = longer waits).
How long are A&E waits at Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust?
As of March 2026, the Gera A&E Waiting Times Index for Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is 54.6 / 100 (higher = longer waits), ranked 67 of 118 major (Type 1) A&E providers in England. 61.2% of its 4,613 major-A&E patients were seen within 4 hours, and 92 waited 12+ hours to be admitted (19.9 per 1,000 attendances). Gera re-dates this monthly.
| Measure | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Gera A&E Waiting Times Index | 54.6 / 100 | Rank 67 of 118; high waiting |
| Type 1 4-hour performance | 61.2% | Standard: 76% of all attendances within 4h |
| Type 1 4-hour breach rate | 38.8% | Share of major-A&E patients waiting over 4h |
| 12-hour DTA waits | 92 | 19.9 per 1,000 attendances |
| Type 1 attendances | 4,613 | Major A&E department only |
| Breach component (B) | 77.7 / 100 | Weighted 60% in the index |
| Trolley component (T) | 19.9 / 100 | Weighted 40% in the index |
| vs England index | -1.6 | England 56.2 / 100 |
The Gera A&E Waiting Times Index combines the 4-hour breach rate (weighted 60%) and 12-hour decision-to-admit trolley waits per 1,000 attendances (weighted 40%) into one 0–100 score. It is volume-independent, so Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s score reflects the wait a patient experiences here rather than how busy the department is. See the full methodology.
Other A&E departments in South West
South West scores 63.5 / 100 on the Gera A&E Waiting Times Index overall. See the full South West region page →
- Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (87.9 / 100)
- Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (85.6 / 100)
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (75.6 / 100)
- North Bristol NHS Trust (66.7 / 100)
- Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust (66.6 / 100)
- Torbay And South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (63.6 / 100)
- University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust (62 / 100)
- Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (59.9 / 100)
- University Hospitals Bristol And Weston NHS Foundation Trust (57.7 / 100)
- Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (56.1 / 100)
- Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (51.6 / 100)
- Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust (48.4 / 100)
Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust A&E waiting times: FAQs
- What is the A&E waiting time at Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust?
- In March 2026, 61.2% of major (Type 1) A&E patients at Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust were seen, admitted or discharged within 4 hours (so 38.8% waited longer), and 92 patients waited 12+ hours from a decision to admit. Its Gera A&E Waiting Times Index is 54.6 / 100 (higher = longer waits), ranked 67 of 118 providers. Figures are from NHS England A&E statistics.
- Is Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust one of the worst A&E departments for waiting?
- Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust ranks 67 of 118 named Type-1 A&E providers on the Gera A&E Waiting Times Index (1 = longest waits). Its score of 54.6 / 100 reflects high waiting. This measures the wait an individual patient experiences and is independent of how busy the department is.
- How does Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust compare with England overall?
- England's national Gera A&E Waiting Times Index is 56.2 / 100 in March 2026, with 36.1% of major-A&E patients waiting over 4 hours. Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is at 54.6 / 100 (38.8% over 4 hours) — shorter waits than the national average.
- Should I still go to Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust A&E?
- For a serious or life-threatening emergency, always go to A&E or call 999 — average waits do not change that, and clinically urgent patients are prioritised. For a non-emergency in South West, NHS 111, a pharmacy, your GP or a private online consultation may be faster. GeraClinic connects patients with UK-registered doctors by video; it is a private service and is not affiliated with the NHS.
Facing a long A&E wait for a non-emergency?
Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust scores 54.6 / 100 on the Gera A&E Waiting Times Index, with 61.2% of major-A&E patients seen within 4 hours. For a non-emergency, see a UK-registered GeraClinic doctor online, often the same day — a private service, not affiliated with the NHS. For a life-threatening emergency always call 999.
Contains public sector information published by Gera Systems and licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (source data). Source: Gera A&E Waiting Times Index — derived from NHS England A&E open data (March 2026, published 3 July 2026).