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
University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust waiting times
Latest NHS England figures for A&E, diagnostic tests and planned treatment at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust, in the South West region, which serves Bournemouth, Poole.
A&E
In September 2026, 71.8% of the 20,484 people attending A&E at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust were admitted, transferred or discharged within 4 hours. That is 2.6 points below the England average of 74.4% and in line with the South West average of 71.8%. It ranks 65 of 120 trusts with a major A&E in England and 3 of 12 in South West (1 = highest share within 4 hours). At the main emergency department (type 1), 64.8% spent 4 hours or less, against 60.6% across England. 4,194 patients were admitted as emergencies through A&E, and 342 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 63.0% (January 2026) to 72.2% (July 2026); it is up 1.2 points since September 2025.
University Hospitals Dorset: % 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 | 71.8% | 20,484 | 342 | 74.4% |
| August 2026 | 70.9% | 20,748 | 135 | 75.0% |
| July 2026 | 72.2% | 20,999 | 373 | 75.4% |
| June 2026 | 70.2% | 20,420 | 399 | 75.0% |
| May 2026 | 70.2% | 20,918 | 410 | 75.7% |
| April 2026 | 68.5% | 20,142 | 573 | 76.9% |
| March 2026 | 67.7% | 19,798 | 501 | 77.1% |
| February 2026 | 63.8% | 16,768 | 454 | 74.1% |
| January 2026 | 63.0% | 18,302 | 698 | 72.5% |
| December 2025 | 65.9% | 18,473 | 395 | 73.8% |
| November 2025 | 67.3% | 19,243 | 324 | 74.2% |
| October 2025 | 68.8% | 19,291 | 434 | 74.2% |
| September 2025 | 70.6% | 18,840 | 169 | 75.1% |
Diagnostic tests
| Test | Waiting list | Waiting under 6 weeks | Waiting 13+ weeks | England under 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI | 2,736 | 97.7% | 24 | 78.0% |
| CT | 1,576 | 99.7% | 2 | 88.8% |
| Ultrasound | 2,572 | 99.1% | 3 | 78.3% |
| Endoscopy | 2,749 | 76.5% | 159 | 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, 67,260 people were waiting to start consultant-led treatment at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust. Half had waited less than 12.4 weeks (England: 12.2 weeks) and 66.0% had waited under 18 weeks, 0.8 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 | 8,682 | 13.0 | 61.6% | 87 | 11.4 |
| Trauma and Orthopaedic | 8,476 | 16.7 | 53.7% | 238 | 13.9 |
| Gynaecology | 7,061 | 18.6 | 49.0% | 238 | 14.2 |
| Ear Nose and Throat | 5,874 | 15.7 | 55.9% | 11 | 15.4 |
| Gastroenterology | 5,068 | 9.2 | 85.4% | 0 | 11.0 |
| Ophthalmology | 4,827 | 12.5 | 72.1% | 0 | 10.4 |
| Dermatology | 4,526 | 11.1 | 66.6% | 48 | 10.5 |
| Other - Medicals | 3,609 | 10.1 | 73.0% | 0 | 10.7 |
University Hospitals Dorset: median RTT wait (weeks) England
Other trusts in South West
| Trust | A&E within 4 hours | MRI under 6 weeks | RTT median weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | 78.6% | 97.4% | 14.1 |
| Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust | 75.5% | 94.7% | 9.7 |
| Somerset NHS Foundation Trust | 71.7% | 86.0% | 12.0 |
| Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust | 71.5% | 81.7% | – |
| Bristol NHS Foundation Trust | 69.7% | 92.0% | 11.1 |
| Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust | 66.5% | 76.0% | 11.7 |
| Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 65.6% | 100.0% | 15.0 |
| University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust | 65.6% | 72.8% | – |
| Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | 62.9% | 57.8% | 12.7 |
| Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 61.8% | 81.0% | 10.9 |
| Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust | 56.7% | 94.6% | 11.6 |
Towns served
Frequently asked questions
What are A&E waiting times like at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust?
In September 2026, 71.8% 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 University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust?
67,260 people were waiting to start consultant-led treatment at the end of August 2026, with a median wait of 12.4 weeks. 657 had waited over a year.
How long is the MRI scan wait at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust?
97.7% of the 2,736 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.