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
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust waiting times
Latest NHS England figures for A&E, diagnostic tests and planned treatment at Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in the North West region.
A&E
In September 2026, 61.8% of the 8,676 people attending A&E at Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust were admitted, transferred or discharged within 4 hours. That is 12.6 points below the England average of 74.4% and 10.0 points below the North West average of 71.8%. It ranks 111 of 120 trusts with a major A&E in England and 15 of 18 in North West (1 = highest share within 4 hours). At the main emergency department (type 1), 50.3% spent 4 hours or less, against 60.6% across England. 1,913 patients were admitted as emergencies through A&E, and 768 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 56.9% (January 2026) to 65.3% (May 2026); it is down 0.4 points since September 2025.
Countess of Chester Hospital: % within 4 hours of arrival England
Month by month
| Month | Within 4 hours | Attendances | 12-hour waits (decision to admit) | England within 4 hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026 | 61.8% | 8,676 | 768 | 74.4% |
| August 2026 | 60.9% | 8,463 | 628 | 75.0% |
| July 2026 | 61.2% | 8,847 | 612 | 75.4% |
| June 2026 | 65.3% | 8,498 | 671 | 75.0% |
| May 2026 | 65.3% | 8,306 | 569 | 75.7% |
| April 2026 | 64.8% | 7,849 | 726 | 76.9% |
| March 2026 | 61.0% | 8,089 | 778 | 77.1% |
| February 2026 | 59.8% | 7,155 | 747 | 74.1% |
| January 2026 | 56.9% | 7,781 | 865 | 72.5% |
| December 2025 | 61.9% | 7,611 | 634 | 73.8% |
| November 2025 | 60.5% | 8,043 | 613 | 74.2% |
| October 2025 | 64.6% | 8,054 | 530 | 74.2% |
| September 2025 | 62.2% | 7,756 | 747 | 75.1% |
Diagnostic tests
| Test | Waiting list | Waiting under 6 weeks | Waiting 13+ weeks | England under 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI | 1,000 | 92.1% | 5 | 78.0% |
| CT | 494 | 93.3% | 0 | 88.8% |
| Ultrasound | 3,218 | 79.9% | 0 | 78.3% |
| Endoscopy | 925 | 72.4% | 9 | 69.6% |
MRI: % waiting under 6 weeks England
CT: % waiting under 6 weeks England
Ultrasound: % waiting under 6 weeks England
Endoscopy: % waiting under 6 weeks England
Planned treatment (referral to treatment)
At the end of August 2026, 31,910 people were waiting to start consultant-led treatment at Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Half had waited less than 11.4 weeks (England: 12.2 weeks) and 68.4% had waited under 18 weeks, 3.2 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 - Surgicals | 5,612 | 12.6 | 63.3% | 75 | 11.4 |
| Ophthalmology | 3,184 | 11.4 | 70.4% | 17 | 10.4 |
| Other - Medicals | 3,047 | 10.7 | 69.7% | 4 | 10.7 |
| Ear Nose and Throat | 3,011 | 13.1 | 65.3% | 1 | 15.4 |
| Gynaecology | 2,755 | 12.6 | 61.5% | 84 | 14.2 |
| Dermatology | 2,581 | 9.9 | 76.0% | 3 | 10.5 |
| Trauma and Orthopaedic | 2,549 | 11.4 | 67.9% | 3 | 13.9 |
| Oral Surgery | 2,073 | 19.1 | 47.3% | 2 | 16.4 |
Countess of Chester Hospital: median RTT wait (weeks) England
Other trusts in North West
Frequently asked questions
What are A&E waiting times like at Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust?
In September 2026, 61.8% of A&E attendances were admitted, transferred or discharged within 4 hours, against 74.4% across England and the 95% standard.
How long is the waiting list at Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust?
31,910 people were waiting to start consultant-led treatment at the end of August 2026, with a median wait of 11.4 weeks. 205 had waited over a year.
How long is the MRI scan wait at Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust?
92.1% of the 1,000 people on the MRI scan waiting list had waited under 6 weeks at the end of August 2026.
How often are these figures 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.