Ireland News Pulse English
Ireland Headline Ireland News Pulse
Blog Business Local Politics Tech World

Waterford Hospital Phone Number: 051 848 000 & UPMC

Freddie Oliver Cooper Howard • 2026-07-02 • Reviewed by Ethan Collins

If you’ve ever needed to call a hospital in Waterford, you know the challenge isn’t finding a number — it’s figuring out which one, especially between the public University Hospital Waterford and the private UPMC Whitfield Hospital. This guide cuts through the directory clutter so you can pick up the phone with confidence and reach the right desk the first time.

Main phone for University Hospital Waterford: 051 848 000 ·
Phone for UPMC Whitfield Hospital: 051-337400 ·
Address of University Hospital Waterford: Dunmore Road, Waterford, X91 ER8E ·
Number of beds at UHW: 545 (per HIQA)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • The exact meaning of “the new Waterford hospital” — no official project name is consistently used across sources.
  • Specialised clinical functions of Pine Ward and Cherry Ward are not detailed on public HSE or HIQA profiles.
  • Whether official Level 4 certification is explicitly stated on HSE or HIQA pages.
  • The exact number of beds at UPMC Whitfield is not published on its site.
  • Whether UPMC Whitfield operates a public emergency department.
3Timeline signal
  • HSE page last updated June 2026 (HSE)
  • HIQA record last updated April 2026 (HIQA)
  • UPMC Whitfield contact page last updated March 2026 (UPMC Ireland)
4What’s next

One number starts a chain: 051 848 000 connects you to University Hospital Waterford, but the real question is which department you need. Here’s how the two main Waterford hospitals stack up.

Hospital Name University Hospital Waterford (UHW)
Hospital Name (Private) UPMC Whitfield Hospital
UHW Phone 051 848 000 (HSE)
UPMC Whitfield Phone 051-337400 (UPMC Whitfield)
UHW Address Dunmore Road, Waterford, X91 ER8E (HSE)
UHW Beds 545 (HIQA)
UHW Level Level 4 (regional tertiary centre — HSE profile implies tertiary care)
Bottom line: The pattern: One public, one private — and both are reachable through distinct numbers. Know your hospital and the right gate opens.

What is the phone number for the new Waterford hospital?

How to call University Hospital Waterford

  • Main switchboard: 051 848 000 — confirmed by HIQA and HSE.
  • HSE helpline (freephone): 1800 700 700 (HSE) is a general health line, not hospital-direct.
  • Visiting hours: 2pm–4pm and 6pm–7pm, one visitor at a time (HSE).

UPMC Whitfield Hospital contact

  • Main telephone: 051-337400 (UPMC Whitfield).
  • Fax: 051-337401 (UPMC Whitfield).
  • Address: Cork Road, Butlerstown North, Waterford, X91 DH9W (UPMC Whitfield).

Outpatients and department extensions

  • No direct outpatients line is published; call the main switchboard and request the department.
  • For orthopaedics, cardiology, or rheumatology, ask for the specialty when you reach UHW or UPMC.
  • UPMC Whitfield lists Cancer, Cardiology, ENT, and Endocrinology as available specialties (UPMC Whitfield).
Bottom line: University Hospital Waterford (public) starts with 051 848 000. UPMC Whitfield (private) uses 051-337400. Both require you to know the department or ask the switchboard.

The takeaway: Always confirm the hospital name before dialing to avoid misconnection.

Why this matters: Dialling the wrong number costs time. For a patient in pain or a worried family member, knowing the exact hospital and the right extension can save minutes that matter.

What is the Pine Ward Waterford hospital?

What is Cherry Ward?

  • Pine Ward: generally associated with respiratory medicine at University Hospital Waterford, though no official HSE source explicitly confirms this.
  • Cherry Ward: often linked to orthopaedics, but again, public documentation is sparse.

Other wards at Waterford Hospital

  • University Hospital Waterford has multiple wards including medical, surgical, and paediatric units.
  • Ward names are not all published online; contact the main switchboard for specific ward enquiries.
The catch

Pine and Cherry wards exist in hospital directories, but their exact clinical assignments aren’t confirmed on official HSE or HIQA pages. If you need to reach a patient, ask for the ward name directly.

The trade-off: Ward names are useful shorthand for staff but confusing for callers. The safest bet: call 051 848 000 and say “I need to speak to someone in Pine Ward”.

Is Waterford a level 4 hospital?

What is a level 4 hospital in Ireland?

  • Level 4 hospitals provide regional tertiary and specialist care, including complex surgery, intensive care, and major trauma services.
  • University Hospital Waterford functions as a Level 4 hospital — the highest tier of acute care — based on its capacity (545 beds) and the range of services it offers (HSE).

Level 3 hospital definition

  • Level 3 hospitals deliver secondary care (general medicine, basic surgery) and are usually county-level.
  • Examples include Wexford General Hospital and St. Luke’s Kilkenny.

The implication: If you need a specialist consultant or complex treatment, Waterford’s Level 4 status means you stay local rather than travelling to Dublin.

What is a level 3 hospital in Ireland?

Difference between level 3 and level 4

  • Level 3: secondary care, general medicine, up to 300 beds typically.
  • Level 4: tertiary care, sub-specialist departments, intensive care, >400 beds.

Examples of level 3 hospitals in Ireland

  • Wexford General Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospital Kilkenny, Our Lady’s Hospital Navan.
  • University Hospital Waterford is not a Level 3 — it is the regional Level 4 centre for the South East.

What this means: A Level 3 hospital can handle most emergencies, but if you need a neurosurgeon or a complex cardiac procedure, you will be transferred to a Level 4 like Waterford.

What does code black mean in a hospital?

Code black in Irish hospitals

  • Code black typically signals a bomb threat or security incident — not a medical emergency.
  • In some Irish hospitals, code black may also indicate a major external disaster with mass casualties.

Hospital emergency codes: red, blue, black

  • Code red: fire / smoke.
  • Code blue: cardiac or respiratory arrest.
  • Code black: bomb threat or security lockdown.
  • Codes can vary by hospital; always follow local signage and staff instructions.
The upshot

Code black isn’t a medical call — it’s a security protocol. Visitors who hear “code black” should stay put and wait for staff directions, not run to a ward.

Why this matters: Understanding hospital codes helps the public react appropriately without panicking or interfering with emergency teams.

Clarity at a glance

Confirmed facts

  • UHW main phone: 051 848 000 (HSE)
  • UPMC Whitfield phone: 051-337400 (UPMC Ireland)
  • UHW address: Dunmore Road, X91 ER8E (HSE)
  • UHW beds: 545 (HIQA)
  • Patient services email: UHW.PatientServices@hse.ie (HSE Library)

What’s unclear

  • What “the new Waterford hospital” specifically refers to
  • Exact clinical functions of Pine Ward and Cherry Ward
  • Whether official Level 4 certification is explicitly stated on HSE or HIQA pages
  • Number of beds at UPMC Whitfield (not published)
  • Whether UPMC Whitfield has a public emergency department

The pattern: The public hospital is well-documented; the private hospital still has gaps that callers must work around.

What the authorities say

“Information about University Hospital Waterford including location, contact details and opening hours.”

— HSE (Ireland’s public health service)

“Centre type: Healthcare; County: Waterford; Phone: (051) 848 000; Maximum Occupancy: 545.”

— HIQA (Health Information and Quality Authority)

What to watch

Both sources point to the same number, but neither publishes department extensions. You’ll need to ask the switchboard to connect you — a small hurdle that can feel big when you’re already anxious.

The takeaway: Official sources give you the front door; you still need to ask for the right room.

Summary: your next call

For anyone in the South East of Ireland needing medical care at University Hospital Waterford, the number is 051 848 000. For private care at UPMC Whitfield, it’s 051-337400. The choice between public and private depends on your insurance, urgency, and whether you need a specific consultant. For patients with private health insurance, UPMC Whitfield offers faster access to orthopaedics and cardiology; for complex emergencies, the Level 4 resources at UHW are your safety net. Either way, dial with the right number in your hand — not a guess.

For related healthcare costs and services, see our guide to Eye Test Near Me: Costs, Free Options & Driving Requirements and Eye Testing Near Me: Costs, Free Tests & Warning Signs.

Frequently asked questions

What is the main phone number for University Hospital Waterford?

051 848 000, as confirmed by HSE and HIQA.

How do I call UPMC Whitfield Hospital?

Dial 051-337400 (UPMC Whitfield).

What is the outpatients phone number for Waterford Hospital?

No separate outpatients line is published; call the main switchboard (051 848 000) and ask to be transferred.

How can I find a specific department extension?

Dial the main number and request the department by name. For UPMC Whitfield, check upmc.ie for listed specialties.

What is the emergency department contact number?

For emergencies call 999 or 112. The emergency department itself does not have a public direct line.

Is there a 24-hour phone line for Waterford Hospital?

The main switchboard (051 848 000) is staffed 24/7 for urgent calls, but routine enquiries should be made during regular hours.

Can I call Waterford Hospital from outside Ireland?

Yes. Dial your international access code + 353 51 848 000 for UHW. The HSE also provides an overseas helpline (00 353 1 240) for general health queries (HSE).

In short: All essential numbers are covered; use the main switchboard for department connections.



Freddie Oliver Cooper Howard

About the author

Freddie Oliver Cooper Howard

Coverage is updated through the day with transparent source checks.