- Wednesday 22nd December – Open as normal
- Thursday 23rd December – Open as normal
- Friday 24th December – 08:00-16:00
- Monday 27th December – Closed all day
- Tuesday 28th December – Closed all day
- Wednesday 29th December – Open as normal
- Thursday 30th December – Open as normal
- Friday 31st December – 08:00-16:00
- Monday 3rd January 2022 – Closed all day
- Tuesday 4th January – Open as normal
We will be open 08:00 – 16:00 on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. From 16:00 on these days we will transfer our telephone lines to our local out of hours GP service operated by DHU 111. We will operate normal opening hours 29 – 30 December, 08:00-18:30.
Over the last couple of years we have seen a greater demand for appointments in the days prior to bank holidays and lower demand on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, particularly in the afternoons. Therefore we will be providing more capacity and appointments at the beginning of the weeks leading up to Christmas and New Year.
Our top tips for a healthy and happy Christmas:
- Please order any repeat prescriptions you require in time to ensure you have adequate provision over the Christmas and New Year period
- Be prepared for common health problems by keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home. Speak to your pharmacist if you’re not sure what you need.
- Use NHS 111 if you need medical help but it’s not an emergency. NHS 111 offers an online service at 111.nhs.uk or you can call them by dialling 111
- Get your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations if eligible
Accessing NHS services over the Christmas and New Year period
The NHS is here to help you over the Christmas and New Year period – so make sure you know your services to get the care you need.
GP practices will generally be closed on the bank holidays, so will not be making appointments for in-person or telephone consultations on those days. Remember 111 online can help you if you have a medical problem which isn’t an emergency, and you don’t know what to do. Alternatively you can contact the NHS 111 service by dialling 111.
Many pharmacies will also be closed, but some will operate on a rota system to provide cover.
It is a good idea to be prepared for common health problems by keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/your-medicine-cabinet/
Prescriptions
Please order any repeat prescriptions you require in time to ensure you have adequate provision over the bank holidays. You can find out about all the ways you can order your repeat prescriptions on our website.
Please do not go to your GP practice or pharmacy to order prescriptions and only phone them if you cannot order online or by an app.
GP practice services will largely be closed on Monday 27 December, Tuesday 28 December and Monday 3 January. If you need medical advice, please contact NHS 111 through either their online service111.nhs.uk or by calling 111.
NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. NHS 111 will be able to assess you and point you to the right service for you, based on your symptoms – whether that be to a GP, A&E or self-care – and can arrange a call back from a nurse, doctor or other trained health professional should you need it, to get you the support that you need.
If you are in a life-threatening situation
Please remember that if you have a medical emergency, such as a suspected heart attack, stroke, or other serious life-threatening condition, call 999.
Community pharmacy services over the bank holidays
Some community pharmacies will be open on Monday 27 December, Tuesday 28 December and Monday 3 January. Please check the NHS England website for pharmacy opening times and other useful information about accessing NHS services over the bank holiday period. Alternatively you may wish to visit your pharmacy website or call them for more information.