Visit Your Local Pharmacy

Don’t overlook your local chemist when you need some medical advice. You don’t need to make an appointment to see your pharmacy team, and many pharmacies can offer private consultations if you’re suffering with something you’d rather have a one-on-one conversation about. Do make sure to check out their opening hours over the Christmas period before you venture out - luckily, most pharmacies publish their hours on social media, so try to track them down on Google. Your community pharmacist is highly-trained and capable of advising on health and wellbeing, in addition to supplying over-the-counter medication that can help you manage minor ailments. If your illness is sufficiently serious that it requires a doctor’s attention, they will be able to point you towards your nearest available service.

Call NHS 111

This free 24-hour telephone helpline is perfect for dealing with an urgent medical problem when you’re not sure what to do. The person on the other end of the phone will be able to explain which local service can help you or connect you to a nurse, emergency dentist, pharmacist or GP who can help. If you need a face-to-face appointment, NHS 111 will help you arrange one, and identify an arrival time if you need to go to A&E so you’ll spend less time in the waiting room. If your medical problem is something that can be managed at home, NHS 111 is perfectly positioned to offer advice on how to treat or manage your symptoms at home. You can also visit the NHS 111 website to access the online service.

Call your GP surgery

All GP surgeries will be closed for Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day - but an out-of-hours on-call GP service will be covering the surgery during this time. It’s crucial that this is used appropriately, by the people who really need it. If any of the following applies, it might be a good idea to call your GP:

• Your symptoms do not improve after three weeks

• Your symptoms suddenly become worse

• Your temperature is very high, or you feel hot and shivery

• You are concerned about your child’s symptoms

• You’re finding it hard to breathe or develop chest pain

• You have a long-term medical condition or a weakened immune system

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A&E departments across the UK are often overwhelmed during the festive season, so you should only access them in the event of serious or life-threatening illness. If this occurs, call 999 to be connected to an ambulance, and begin emergency first aid.