Your local GP surgery may be closed on New Year’s Day, but many NHS services are still accessible
Getting sick during the holidays is never ideal. But what should you do if you require ‘urgent medical help’ on New Year’s Day? Most GP surgeries close on January 1 as this is a bank holiday.
However, the NHS has stressed that options are available if you require help out of hours. In a post to X, the health service said: “Some GP services will be available over the Christmas bank holidays. If you have a health concern, contact your GP practice. If they are closed, or for urgent medical help, use NHS 111 via the NHS App, online or by calling. http://111.nhs.uk.”
The official NHS App is primarily designed for residents of England and the Isle of Man who are aged 13 or older and registered with a GP practice in these regions. It is available for free download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
With full access, users are able to perform various health-related actions, such as the following:
- Book and manage COVID-19 vaccinations
- Register your organ donation decision
- Choose how the NHS uses your data
- View your NHS number (find out what your NHS number is)
- Use NHS 111 online to answer questions and get instant advice or medical help near you
- Order repeat prescriptions and nominate a pharmacy where you would like to collect them
- Book and manage appointments
- View your GP health record to see information like your allergies and medicines (if your GP has given you access to your detailed medical record, you can also see information like test results)
People in Scotland are advised to use the NHS 24 Online app or the platform MyCare.scot, while residents of Wales should use the NHS Wales App. Additionally, the NHS 111 phone service for ‘urgent medical help’ is accessible across the entire UK at all times, 24/7, including New Year’s Day.
Contacting them is typically free via landline or mobile. After reaching out, their professionals will assess your situation and, if necessary, connect you with a nurse, doctor, or paramedic. You may be referred to an urgent treatment centre, an out-of-hours GP service, your regular GP during office hours, or the nearest A&E department.
Nonetheless, the service states that it cannot perform the following actions:
- Issue fit notes – you need to contact your GP
- Make or cancel appointments for you in other parts of the NHS
Although NHS 111 is available across the UK, its online portal is limited to England and intended for use by people aged five and above. Residents of Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland should instead use their local online services or call 111 to get connected to the appropriate assistance.
Online guidance from the NHS explains: “If your symptoms mean you need a callback from a nurse, you will be offered one and given a timeframe. You cannot request a callback. 111 online users or people who have called 111 go into the same callback queue and the waiting times are the same.”
It additionally advises: “111 online has about 120 topics, covering most common symptoms. We can triage one symptom at a time. If you have multiple symptoms, pick the one that is bothering you most. We cannot give advice about conditions you already know you have.”
Meanwhile, just before Christmas, Dr Michael Gregory, Regional Medical Director for NHS England in the North West, also explained: “As we approach Christmas and New Year bank holidays, I’d urge anyone needing care to please come forward without delay – the NHS is here for you.
“Please continue to use the NHS wisely and if you’re unsure which service is best for your needs, use NHS 111 online where you can check your symptoms and be directed to the right place.” He also added: “Nobody wants to miss festive celebrations because they’re unwell or pass any illnesses on to their loved ones. People can help prevent viruses from spreading by washing their hands regularly and staying away from others if you are experiencing any flu-like symptoms.”
If you are deaf but need to contact 111 by phone, you can use the NHS 111 British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter service. You can also dial 18001 111 through the Relay UK app on your smartphone, tablet, or computer, or use a traditional textphone if you face difficulties communicating.
Nevertheless, dial 999 if you think you’re confronting a life-threatening emergency or a serious problem. This helpline is specifically for emergencies like traffic accidents, strokes, and heart attacks.
The NHS adds: “Calling 999 does not always mean an ambulance will be sent. You might be told it’s safe for you to make your own way to A&E, or to be seen elsewhere.”
