Mid Cheshire Hospital Trust prepares for a challenging winter

A&E waiting times on Mid Cheshire Hospitals’ website have been viewed more than 100,000 times in the past year.

The Trust released the figures to mark 12 months since the launch of the service, which gives people real-time updates on the number of patients in the department and the waiting times they may expect.

Its live feed, which includes minors and majors information, was first introduced on this page on 20th November 2024.

Mid Cheshire Hospitals’ data shows the most views for the A&E waiting times page in one day - 1,103 views - happened on 2 January 2025, traditionally a particularly busy time for health services across the country.

That compares to a low of 41 views on 4th September 2025.

As the NHS prepares for another challenging winter, the page has received almost 2,000 views in the past week alone (13 November to 19 November) and officials expect that number to increase significantly as the colder weather arrives.

Dr Philip Dale, Emergency Department Consultant and Clinical Lead, said:

“It’s vital that this information continues to help our patients over winter, while also encouraging people to make the right choice for their care during what will be an increasingly busy time for the NHS.

“If patients are not sure whether they need to come to A&E, we’d always advise them to contact NHS 111 so they can be directed to the right place for them, which could include their GP, pharmacy, or self-care at home.

“As ever, please be assured the NHS is here for you. We’d urge anyone with health concerns to continue to come forward for care.”

Nicola Costin-Davis, Chief Operating Officer at Mid Cheshire Hospitals, said:

“We’re delighted to see that one year on this relatively new addition to our website is doing exactly what it was created for; giving our patients the most up-to-date information about what to expect when they come to A&E.

“To put it into perspective, the number of views in one year is almost double the population of Crewe, so this is something that we know has been important for our local population. It’s a good example of our commitment to openness, transparency and modernising our services so we can continue to provide outstanding care for the communities we serve.”

Louise Barry, CEO of Healthwatch Cheshire, said: 

“Access to clear, real-time information is vital for helping people make informed decisions about their care.

“This initiative from Mid Cheshire Hospitals is a great example of how transparency can support patients in choosing the most appropriate service. We welcome any steps that improve communication and put patients at the heart of the process.”

Please remember that accident and emergency departments and 999 are for life- threatening emergencies and serious injuries. 

Patients at A&E will be seen in order of acuity. No matter how busy the department is, the most seriously ill patients will always be seen first.

People can contact NHS 111 online at 111.nhs.uk/ or call 111.

NHS 111 is a free service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The A&E waiting times for Leighton Hospital are available here:

https://www.mcht.nhs.uk/EDWaitTimes