More than 52,300 waited for longer than four hours at King’s Mill Hospital’s A&E department, new data shows
More than 52,300 patients waited longer than four hours to be seen at King's Mill Hospital’s A&E department and more than 4,000 spent 12 hours or more on a hospital trolley waiting for a bed, new figures have revealed.
The latest A&E waiting time figures for King's Mill Hospital cover a 12 month period from April 2025 to March 2026, and have come to light following a Freedom of Information request (FOI).
The data shows 52,392 patients waited longer than four hours and from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge in A&E at King’s Mill Hospital.
During the same period 4,061 patients waited longer than 12 hours in A&E from the decision to admit to actual admission, often referred to as ‘trolley waits’.
According to the figures the total number of patients who waited longer than four hours from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge in A&E at King’s Mill Hospital - peaked at 5,216 in October 2025 - with the latest available data for March 2026 standing at 3548.
Meanwhile the total number of patients who waited longer than 12 hours from the decision to admit to actual admission (trolley waits) - peaked at 720 in January 2026 with the latest data for March 2026 standing at 289.
Figures contained within the FOI also reveal patient ‘boarding figures’ — the term used for holding admitted patients in A&E while waiting for inpatient beds.
Over the 12 month period 11,779 patients were held in A&E awaiting an inpatient bed. The longest average wait time for a boarding patient during this period was nine minutes and 58 seconds.
Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust who runs King's Mill Hospital confirmed they had not received any performance related penalties during this period as a result of the waiting times.
Chris Dann, Deputy Chief Operating Officer at Sherwood Forest Hospitals, added: "We recognise that long waits in our Emergency Department can be difficult for patients and their families, and reducing those waits remains a key priority for the trust.
“Like hospitals across the NHS, we experienced significant pressure during 2025/26 due to high demand for urgent and emergency care and challenges with patient flow across the health and care system.
“We continue to take steps to improve performance, including strengthening same-day emergency care services, improving discharge processes, working closely with health and social care partners to improve patient flow, and investing in our urgent and emergency care facilities.
“Before visiting A&E, we’re asking people to consider whether it is a genuine emergency as it’s often not the best place for their needs. If you need urgent medical attention when it’s not an emergency, please visit NHS 111 online or call NHS 111. You can also speak to your local pharmacy for advice, or contact your GP team.”
The figures come after plans were revealed for a major expansion at King’s Mill Hospital in a bid to prevent delays and overcrowding in the emergency department.
A planning application has been submitted to Ashfield District Council for internal alterations to the existing ward and adjoining rooms, extensions into the courtyard on the ground floor, and a new plant room at first-floor level – all to allow for the expansion of the majors area in the emergency department.
The council’s planning officers are currently considering the proposal and have set a deadline date of Wednesday, September 2 to make a decision or recommendation.
King’s Mill Hospital is part of the Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which also runs Nottinghamshire’s Mansfield Community Hospital, Newark Hospital and Nottinghamshire’s first Community Diagnostic Centre in Mansfield.