Dorset County Hospital
NHS hospital · Dorchester
Checking opening times…
Today is a bank holiday: opening times may be different. Call before you go.
Dorset County Hospital is an NHS hospital in Dorchester, Dorset, run by Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. See whether it has an A&E, its phone number, visiting and how to get there.
At a glance
- A&E
- A&E open 24 hours
- Planned care wait
- Half waited less than 14 weeks (whole trust)
- CQC rating
- Good (published 30 June 2026)
- Telephone
- 01305 251150
Information checked 16 October 2026.
Urgent help
Call 999 or go to A&E if someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk. For urgent help that is not an emergency, use NHS 111 online or call 111.
Waiting times at Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
These figures are for the whole trust, which runs 2 hospitals listed on this site, not just Dorset County Hospital. Waits at this hospital may be shorter or longer.
Other hospitals in this trust:
A&E: time spent in A&E
60.6% of people who went to the trust’s major A&E departments in September 2026 were admitted, transferred or discharged within 4 hours.
5,255 attendances. England average for major A&E departments: 60.6%. In an emergency, go to the nearest A&E or call 999.
Compare A&E waiting times at other hospitals.
Waiting for planned treatment
These are people who were still waiting at the end of August 2026 for non-urgent treatment led by a consultant, counted from the referral. The table shows the trust’s 5 specialties with the most people waiting. “Half waited less than” is the median wait. The NHS maximum waiting time for non-urgent, consultant-led treatment is 18 weeks.
| Specialty | People waiting | Half waited less than | 92 in 100 waited less than | Waiting under 18 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trauma and orthopaedics | 3,429 | 19 weeks | 48 weeks | 46.1% |
| Ear, nose and throat | 2,831 | 15 weeks | 41 weeks | 56.6% |
| Ophthalmology | 2,605 | 11 weeks | 30 weeks | 71.9% |
| Cardiology | 1,790 | 19 weeks | 43 weeks | 49.1% |
| Oral surgery | 1,707 | 17 weeks | 42 weeks | 52.8% |
| All specialties | 23,094 | 14 weeks | 41 weeks | 60.3% |
Show all 13 specialties at this trust
| Specialty | People waiting | Half waited less than | 92 in 100 waited less than | Waiting under 18 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gynaecology | 1,580 | 13 weeks | 41 weeks | 66.5% |
| Dermatology | 1,552 | 9.8 weeks | 45 weeks | 69.7% |
| General surgery | 1,408 | 20 weeks | 42 weeks | 46.4% |
| Urology | 1,375 | 12 weeks | 35 weeks | 64.4% |
| Gastroenterology | 995 | 11 weeks | 27 weeks | 72.2% |
| Children's services (paediatrics) | 351 | 16 weeks | 45 weeks | 54.7% |
| Respiratory medicine | 283 | 11 weeks | 24 weeks | 79.5% |
| Elderly medicine | 95 | 8.2 weeks | 29 weeks | 82.1% |
If your GP refers you, in most cases you have the legal right to choose which hospital you go to for your first appointment. Compare waiting times at hospitals near you.
Source: NHS England, Consultant-led Referral to Treatment Waiting Times (August 2026, published 8 October 2026) and A&E Attendances and Emergency Admissions (September 2026). Official statistics for the trust as a whole. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence.
Procedures at this hospital
Published figures for Dorset County Hospital from national audits and NHS statistics, from the UK Hospitals Guide. Each guide page explains what the figures mean and compares hospitals in the South West. This is not a ranking.
Figures for this hospital
- Hip replacement
957Joint replacements, all joints, 2025 (NJR)
Middle hospital in the South West: 921.5750 to 999. NJR outlier analysis (90-day mortality and revision rates): Not identified as an outlier - Knee replacement
957Joint replacements, all joints, 2025 (NJR)
Middle hospital in the South West: 921.5750 to 999. NJR outlier analysis (revision rates): Not identified as an outlier - Hip fracture surgery
368People treated for a hip fracture, 2025 (NHFD)
Middle hospital in the South West: 519300 to 399. Deaths within 30 days (case-mix adjusted): 7% - Emergency bowel surgery (emergency laparotomy)
81Emergency laparotomies, NELA year 11
Middle hospital in the South West: 13175 to 99. Deaths within 30 days (risk-adjusted): Within the 95% funnel limits - Stroke care
118Stroke patients, January to March 2026 (SSNAP)
Middle hospital in the South West: 168.5Stroke team. 75 to 149. SSNAP level (A is highest, E lowest): Level C
Figures for the whole trust
These are published for the trust as a whole. The operation may be done at another of its hospitals.
- Bowel cancer surgery Major bowel cancer operations, 2024 (NBOCA): 150 to 199 (151). Deaths within 90 days of surgery (adjusted): 1%
- Breast cancer surgery Women having breast cancer surgery, 2021 to 2023 (NAoPri): fewer than 600 (577). Further operation after breast-conserving surgery (adjusted): 9.1%
- Carpal tunnel release treatments across all the trust’s hospitals: fewer than 750
- Lumbar decompression (lower back surgery) treatments across all the trust’s hospitals: fewer than 150
- Coronary artery bypass graft (heart bypass) treatments across all the trust’s hospitals: 750 to 1,499
- Coronary angioplasty and stents treatments across all the trust’s hospitals: 750 to 1,499
- Varicose vein treatment treatments across all the trust’s hospitals: 600 to 1,499
- Inguinal hernia repair treatments across all the trust’s hospitals: fewer than 1,500
- Gallbladder removal treatments across all the trust’s hospitals: fewer than 750
- Haemorrhoid (piles) surgery
- Weight loss surgery
- Cataract surgery treatments across all the trust’s hospitals: 3,000 to 7,499
- Tonsil removal (tonsillectomy) treatments across all the trust’s hospitals: 1,500 to 2,999
- Grommets for glue ear treatments across all the trust’s hospitals: 500 to 749
- Hysterectomy treatments across all the trust’s hospitals: fewer than 1,500
- Giving birth and caesarean section treatments across all the trust’s hospitals: fewer than 3,000
- Prostate surgery for an enlarged prostate (TURP)
- Kidney stone treatment
Sources: national clinical audits (NJR, NHFD, NELA, SSNAP, NATCAN, NVR) and NHS England statistics, under the Open Government Licence or CC BY 4.0. Data updated 26 October 2026.
Opening times
Opening days and times
Hospital wards are staffed 24 hours a day. The A&E department is open 24 hours a day, every day.
Outpatient clinics, tests and scans run at set times. Your appointment letter or text message tells you when and where to go.
See Visiting for visiting times.
Visiting information on the hospital website
A&E status: NHS England emergency care data (Emergency Care Data Set, August 2026).
Appointments and access
First outpatient appointments
To see a specialist at an NHS hospital, you usually need a referral, for example from your GP, dentist or optometrist.
In most cases you have the right to choose which hospital you are referred to for your first outpatient appointment.
Your referral is usually booked through the NHS e-Referral Service. You can then manage it in the NHS App or on the NHS website.
Some services let you refer yourself, such as maternity care.
If you already have an appointment, use the phone number on your appointment letter.
Contact the hospital to book or to ask about appointments.
Contact
Main telephone
Telephone: 01305 251150
Contact the hospital to book or to ask about appointments.
Location and travel
Address and map
Dorset County Hospital
Williams Avenue
Dorchester
DT1 2JY
Find care near here
Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026.
Public transport and parking
Links found on the official website, checked 24 October 2026.
Getting here by public transport
Nearest stations:
- Dorchester West about 7 minutes' walkNational Rail
- Dorchester South about 13 minutes' walkNational Rail
Nearest bus stop: Dorset County Hospital (Stop B), about 2 minutes' walk.
Public transport directions (opens Google Maps)
Walking times are estimates from the straight-line distance to the hospital. Stations and bus stops are from the National Public Transport Access Nodes (NaPTAN), Department for Transport, 26 October 2026. NaPTAN does not list which routes call at each stop: check the operator or a journey planner before you travel, especially if you need step-free access. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Car parking
Parking uses number-plate recognition: take a ticket at the barrier, then pay at a payment machine (card or cash) before leaving. Charges: up to 1 hour £1.70, up to 2 hours £2.60, up to 3 hours £3.70, up to 4 hours £4.50, over 4 hours £7.00. Drop-off and pick-up is free for up to 20 minutes.
Blue Badge holders park free: take a ticket on entry and scan the badge barcode at the exit barrier. Use the disabled spaces around the site, not the multi-storey.
From the hospital's car parking page, checked 15 November 2026. Charges and car park rules can change, so check before you travel.
NHS hospitals in England must offer free car parking to Blue Badge holders who are patients or visitors, outpatients who attend at least 3 times in a month for at least 3 months, the parent or guardian of a child under 18 staying in overnight (7.30pm to 8am, up to 2 vehicles) and staff working night shifts. Ask the hospital how to claim it, as you may need to register your vehicle.
Source: NHS car parking guidance, Department of Health and Social Care (updated 29 March 2022), checked 15 November 2026.
Facilities
We do not have details of step-free access, parking or other facilities here yet. If you need them, contact the hospital before you go.
Visiting
Visiting times
Visiting on most wards is 11am to 8pm, seven days a week, with only two visitors at a time. Maternity, the Special Care Baby Unit, Kingfisher Ward and Critical Care have different arrangements.
From the hospital's visiting page, checked 15 November 2026.
Visiting times and rules can change, for example during outbreaks. Check the hospital's own pages before you go:
Links found on the hospital's official website, checked 24 October 2026.
Book, change or complain
- Book or manage your first outpatient appointment
- Patient advice (PALS) and other contact details
- This hospital on the NHS website
- Manage your referral (NHS e-Referral Service)
- What the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) does
- Read inspection reports (CQC)
- Get an email when CQC inspects this hospital
- Tell CQC about your care
- Find your local Healthwatch
About this hospital
| Provider | Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust |
|---|---|
| Type | NHS hospital |
| NHS or private | NHS |
| Local authority | Dorset |
More details
| NHS organisation code | RBD01 |
|---|---|
| CQC location ID | RBD01 |
Official website: Dorset County Hospital website
Hospital services
CQC lists these regulated service types at this location:
- Community services - Healthcare
- Dentist
- Hospital
Service types are regulatory categories, not a full list of departments. Being registered for a service does not always mean it is running now. Check with the hospital.
Regulation and quality
This location is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The latest published ratings are below.
| Area | Rating | Published |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | Good | 30 June 2026 |
| Caring | Good | 30 June 2026 |
| Effective | Good | 30 June 2026 |
| Responsive | Good | 30 June 2026 |
| Safe | Good | 30 June 2026 |
| Well-led | Good | 30 June 2026 |
Read the CQC report for Dorset County Hospital
Frequently asked questions
What is the telephone number for Dorset County Hospital?
Telephone: 01305 251150.
Is there parking at Dorset County Hospital?
Parking uses number-plate recognition: take a ticket at the barrier, then pay at a payment machine (card or cash) before leaving. Charges: up to 1 hour £1.70, up to 2 hours £2.60, up to 3 hours £3.70, up to 4 hours £4.50, over 4 hours £7.00. Drop-off and pick-up is free for up to 20 minutes. Blue Badge holders park free: take a ticket on entry and scan the badge barcode at the exit barrier. Use the disabled spaces around the site, not the multi-storey. Checked 15 November 2026.
What are the visiting hours at Dorset County Hospital?
Visiting on most wards is 11am to 8pm, seven days a week, with only two visitors at a time. Maternity, the Special Care Baby Unit, Kingfisher Ward and Critical Care have different arrangements. Checked 15 November 2026; wards can change their times, so check before you go.
What is the CQC rating of Dorset County Hospital?
The latest overall CQC rating is Good, published 30 June 2026.
Nearby hospitals
A&E open 24 hours
Yeovil District Hospital, Yeovil, BA21 4AT
About 18.0 miles away
Community hospital · No A&E
3 Melcombe Avenue, Weymouth, DT4 7TB
About 6.4 miles away
Community hospital · No A&E
Hospital Lane, Bridport, DT6 5DR
About 14.3 miles away
Community hospital · No A&E
Milldown Road, Blandford Forum, DT11 7DD
About 16.0 miles away
Distances are straight-line estimates from postcode locations.
Looking for somewhere nearer you?
PharmacyGPDentistA&E and urgent care
Your location stays on your device. We do not send or store it. You can also enter a postcode.
Printed from https://ukhospitals.uk/hospital/dorset-county-hospital/ on 15 November 2026.