TOP TIPS FOR USING NHS SERVICES

News Release

Get in the Know this festive period – top tips for using NHS services

17 December 2024

The NHS in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) has published advice about how to use NHS services over the Christmas and New Year period, including their five top tips that everyone should know to get the right care as quickly as possible over the festive period.

NHS 111, urgent care services, pharmacies and neighbourhood mental health cafes are among the local options for people when GP practices are closed on Christmas Day (Wednesday 25th December), Boxing Day (Thursday 26th December) and New Year’s Day (Wednesday 1st January).

Dr Nil Sanganee, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland said: “There are health service options that people can use every day across the Christmas and New Year period, including when your GP practice is closed. It is especially important for people to come forward to receive care when they need it, to avoid problems becoming more serious. They can use NHS 111 or go to an urgent care service for urgent health matters. Pharmacies can advise what to do for minor and common illnesses, with some pharmacies opening on bank holidays. There are neighbourhood mental health cafes to support people with their mental health and wellbeing, while those in a mental health crisis can call NHS 111 and press option 2.”

Five top tips

Use NHS 111 when it’s urgent:

Use NHS 111 for any urgent healthcare needs, when your GP practice is closed, to get the right care for you. Call, go online or use the NHS App. Choose option 2 over the phone for mental health crises.

Check out the urgent care services near you:

You can use many urgent care services without an appointment every day across the festive period. Use NHS 111 to make sure it’s the right place for you and for appointments.

Some pharmacies are open on bank holidays:

For support with common illnesses get advice and medication from a local pharmacy. Many can also prescribe prescription medication for some conditions without you needing to see a GP first.

Get support with your mental health and wellbeing at a neighbourhood mental health café.

There are Neighbourhood Mental Health Cafés spread around Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, run by trained and supportive staff, who are there to listen and provide the practical support when you need it most.

Get in the know, before you need to know:

Find out about the local healthcare options in advance, so you can get the right care for you, more quickly, when you do need it. For more detailed advice, all in one place, visit www.getintheknow.co.uk