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Original poster

If you work in A and E, when is the quietest time for a patient to come in?

133 replies

applejack18 · 25/01/2024 20:24

I know IABU to ask, as the NHS is unimaginably stretched all of the time.

But if there was a least busy time of day/night, or time of week, which would it be?

Is there a pattern?

I ask because I had to call 111 yesterday at 10pm and the upshot was I should get seen for my symptoms within 12 hours. The clinician said I could go to A and E that evening or see the GP in the morning. I'm lucky it wasn't urgent but it got me thinking.

OP posts:
Eightfour · 25/01/2024 21:02

I had to go to A&E a few weeks ago around 3.30pm on a Thursday. From ringing 111 to be diagnosed in A&E took an hour! I do live 15 minutes from the hospital but even so.

MoroccoMole · 25/01/2024 20:59

It's not just how many people, you aren't treated in order of who came in first, but level of severity of your problem.

So it might not look "busy" but you could wait longer if everyone else is more serious.

Or it can look "busy" but you get seen first as your symptoms are more concerning

Bestkindaparty · 25/01/2024 20:53

Monday and Tuesday mornings/afternoons are our busiest in the A&AE I work at. Saturday nights usually the quietest. Yes you get the occasional drunk but they're seen and treated quickly. After midnight it's a lovely shift usually. Also Sunday mornings up until the afternoon are fairly quiet

SleepyRich · 25/01/2024 20:51

Early mornings/before 0900 are generally are quietist period to arrive since most of the evening/overnight patients will be sorted, fresh daystaff on and get in just before the rush 09-12. Friday is the quietist. Monday I think is the busiest. But if anyone can schedule when they go to A&E/time it for the least busy times then they probably don't need to go at all, so save the most time!!

There are so many factors though, reduced access to GP at weekends pushes some to A&E who might have been managed in community, many services not available OOH so reduced referral opportunities. Would expect more RTCs in commuter times when more on the road. Weekends more people drinking/adventure/leisure activities which can involve injury....

NachosAndCheese · 25/01/2024 20:49

Early in the morning, unless there’s a resus coming in. I work in Paeds though, not adults.

Or Christmas Day, it’s amazing how illnesses can be put off when it comes to it.

Nolla · 25/01/2024 20:33

10 years ago.

QueenOfWeeds · 25/01/2024 20:27

I’m not sure about quietest but I went with a broken limb at about 11am one Monday and expressed surprise at how busy it was. The nurse told me lots of people “don’t want to waste their weekend sitting in A&E, but are happy to miss a day of work.”

FarmGirl78 · 25/01/2024 20:26

I've had to go a few times recently with an ongoing issue that flares up at random, and I've found 4am-5am on a Monday morning tends to be best.
(Auntie worked there for 30+years and agreed)

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