Health advice for over the Christmas and New Year holidays

With Christmas Day and New Year’s Day falling on a Sunday, people in Suffolk and north east Essex are reminded that GP practices will be closed on Monday December 26, Tuesday December 27 and Monday January 2.

• Some pharmacies will be open on these dates and the list of locations and opening times is available – you don’t need an appointment and pharmacies are a great source of help and advice if you feel unwell
• Mental health crisis support is accessible round-the-clock by calling NHS 111 and choosing the mental health option
• The NHS 111 service is available online and by ‘phone 24/7 for help and advice if you or a family member is feeling unwell. Online access is usually quicker and just as good as calling on your ‘phone – please use this first if you can
• Flu and COVID vaccination clinics are taking place and everyone eligible is urged to take up the offer. Visit the local website for more information. COVID vaccination booking is now also available through the NHS app
• A local website has been created with lots of information to support your physical and mental wellbeing over winter – visit the Keep Well This Winter website
• Check you’ll have enough repeat prescription medicine to last over the holiday weekends, remembering that GP practices will be closed for four consecutive days at Christmas and three over the new year, and that it takes at least 48 hours for your GP practice to process a repeat prescription request, which then needs at least the same time to be dispensed by the pharmacy.

Dr Nicholas Rayner, a GP in Newmarket, said: “Medical help and advice remains available throughout the holiday period. With many parents aware of the increased rates in scarlet fever and Strep A, I urge them to visit NHS 111 Online if they have any concerns about symptoms their child may be experiencing. NHS 111 by ‘phone and online should be the first port of call for anyone needing urgent medical help and advice.

“COVID and flu remain prevalent, and cases will increase over the coming weeks as we spend more time indoors socialising. Vaccination offers the best protection both to yourself and those around you.

“Norovirus, the winter vomiting bug, is also very prevalent, as are colds. The regular washing of hands with warm water and soap is one of the best actions we can take to prevent the spread of germs.

“Being prepared is undoubtedly the best course of action, such as by having the medicine cabinet basics at hand to deal with indigestion, hangovers and winter coughs and colds.

“Make sure you have enough prescription medication to last over the holidays, bearing in mind it takes time for your GP practice to process a repeat prescription request and for your pharmacy to dispense.”

Dr Freda Bhatti, a GP in Colchester, said: “This is set to be a challenging winter for everyone’s health as well as the NHS. That’s why I ask people to do what they can to be best prepared, to look out for others and choose the most appropriate health care option so as to help reduce the pressure on our already strained NHS services and staff.”