Health leaders in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire are urging people to
plan ahead for their healthcare needs over the festive bank holidays.
Bank holidays fall on Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 December this year as well as New
Year’s Day (Wednesday 1 January), and while urgent and emergency care services will
continue to be available as usual, GPs and some pharmacies will be closed on these days.
Local GP and Deputy Chief Medical Officer at Bristol, North Somerset and South
Gloucestershire ICB, Dr Geeta Iyer, said: “Christmas and New Year is always a very busy
time of year and it’s easy to forget that local GPs and some pharmacies will be closed on
the bank holidays.
“However there are some simple steps you can take to make sure you’re not caught out by
the bank holiday closures, like picking up repeat medication in good time and checking your
home medicine cabinet.
“It’s also important to remember that urgent care services, including emergency
pharmacists, minor injury units and more are all available during the bank holidays if you
need them. Contact NHS 111 online or by phone at any time to be guided to the right
service for your needs.”
She added: “Outside the bank holidays, most services, including GPs, will be open as
normal during the festive period. However it’s important to remember that this period often
sees increased demand on local services so please think carefully about which service will
be best for you.
“Consider whether your pharmacist could help with minor ailments, and contact NHS 111 if
you’re thinking of going to A&E but it’s not a life-threatening emergency.”
Healthcare options this Christmas and New Year:
• Self-care: Be prepared for very minor conditions by stocking up on home medicine
essentials – paracetamol or aspirin, antihistamines for allergic reactions, indigestion
remedies and a basic first aid kit. The NHS website also has self-care advice for a
wide range of winter ailments like coughs and colds.
• Handi App: Parents of young children can consult the Handi App for advice on
common childhood ailments. The app has been developed by paediatric consultants
and provides access to home care plans, as well as GP and hospital clinical
guidelines, for the most common childhood health care conditions. Search for “Handi
App” on Google Play or iTunes.
• Pharmacists: Pharmacists provide expert, confidential advice and treatment for
minor ailments as well as advising on repeat medication, contraception and sexual
health. They can also now supply prescription-only medicines for some common
conditions, without you needing to see a GP. Most are open throughout the festive
period, and emergency pharmacists also open on the bank holidays. Find your local
pharmacy.
• NHS 111: The NHS 111 service is available 24 hours a day by phone, or online
at 111.nhs.uk. If you have an urgent but not life-threatening medical need, or you
need to contact a GP when your practice is closed, make sure you contact NHS 111
first. NHS 111 will help you right away and direct you to the best service for your
needs.
• GPs: Most GPs will be open between Christmas and New Year and you can
continue to contact them as normal outside of the bank holidays. During bank
holidays, if you think you need help right away and it can’t wait until your practice
reopens, contact NHS 111 for immediate support and guidance.
• Minor Injuries: Minor Injury Units (MIUs) and Urgent Treatment Centres treat less
serious injuries such as cuts and grazes, sprains and strains and trips and falls.
Services are open in Yate, South Bristol and Clevedon throughout the holiday
period; see the ICB website for details.
• Mental health support: One in four people in the UK experience a mental health
problem at some point that affects their daily life, relationships or physical health.
There is a range of support services available locally to support individual needs,
visit the ICB website for more information. For urgent mental health crisis support,
contact NHS 111.
• 999 and A&E: 999 services and A&E services are available 24 hours a day for life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, chest pain, strokes or
breathing difficulties. If it’s not life-threatening, but still urgent, contact NHS 111
online or by phone.
