ILL-HEALTH is unwelcome at any time of year, but particularly during the holidays.
With Christmas just around the corner, we have everything you need to know about Doctors opening times, and how to seek medical attention over the festive period.
1
Are doctors open over the Christmas holidays?
Like most public services, GP practices have different opening times over Christmas and New Year.
As Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day are bank holidays, surgeries will most likely be closed.
Some surgeries might operate an out-of-hours service, but these can vary from practice to practice.
If you phone your nearest surgery, the answering machine will give you advice on how to get hold of an out-of-hours doctor.
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Many walk-in centres will also be open as normal on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
But they may be busy, so you may be in the waiting room for a large portion of your day.
With this in mine, it is always best to call ahead and check the opening times before you travel.
If you are unsure of opening hours, you can always check to see if your local practice has shared any information online.
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Or alternatively, you can phone up ahead of time.
It is also important to note that there are other ways to seek medical attention during the Christmas holidays.
How can I seek medical attention during the Christmas holidays?
The NHS can still provide you with medical assistance even if your local practice is closed.
If someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk, you can call 999.
If you require urgent face-to-face care, you can always look up the Accident and Emergency or Urgent Care centre closest to you.
A&E is for emergency healthcare only.
Pharmacist Dr Richard Middleton adds: ”Check with your GP’s website on how to seek urgent care over the festive period.
”Most areas have minor injury units or urgent care centres that are available and very effective.”
Alternatively, for non-emergency treatment, you can call 111 or use the NHS 111 online service.
This will require you to fill out a form online with your details and health condition.
The NHS will then respond with information on whether to see a GP or seek urgent care, offer advice, or you may get a call back from a health professional.
You can also find a hospital via the online NHS search tool, by simply putting in your postcode or town you’re in, and it will find you the nearest one you can visit.
For health-related issues such as coughs, colds, or earaches, some pharmacies will be open over the Christmas period.
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Aside from knowing how to seek medical attention over the festive season, it’s also important to be aware of any possible health hazards and how to avoid them.
We’ve listed 12 health hazards from heart attack to choking and burns, and how to avoid them this December.
