Your NHS is here to help you and your loved ones stay well over the Christmas and New Year period.
This holiday season, choose the right service for your healthcare needs. If you are unsure about where to go, please visit NHS 111 online at 111.nhs.uk or call 111 and you will be directed to the most appropriate service for your need.
If you need to visit a pharmacy, please check your local pharmacy's bank holiday opening hours first. Visit the NHS England website to find bank holiday opening hours for pharmacies in the Birmingham and Solihull area covering the Christmas and New Year period.
- For minor illness and injuries, choose self-care. Find out what you should keep in your first aid kit. You can stock up on self-care essentials at your local supermarket or pharmacy.
- For minor health concerns, such as earache, itchy eyes and sore throats, choose your local pharmacy.
- For ongoing or long-term health concerns, choose your GP practice or use 111 if your GP practice is closed.
- For mental health, choose our 24/7 helpline, 0121 262 3555.
- For urgent dental treatment, choose your usual dentist or use 111 online if your dentist is unavailable.
- For urgent health concerns or when you're unsure what to do, choose 111.
- For medical or mental health emergencies, choose 999. A medical or mental health emergency is when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.
Dental services
If you need urgent dental treatment over the Christmas and New Year period, contact your usual dentist.
If you can't contact your usual dentist, or don't have one, use 111.nhs.uk. If an urgent appointment is needed, you will be given details of your local out of hours service.
Your local pharmacy
Your local pharmacist is an expert in medicine. They can offer advice, recommend over-the-counter medicines which you can buy without a prescription, and help you with a range of minor health concerns, including sore throats, tummy trouble, and aches and pains.
You can learn more about how your pharmacist can help you on the NHS website and you can find your nearest pharmacy on the NHS website, too.
Your local pharmacy may have different opening hours over the Christmas and New Year period. You can find bank holiday opening hours for pharmacies in Birmingham and Solihull on the NHS England website.
Mental health
If you're feeling stressed, anxious, sad or just a little down, it can help to talk to someone.
Mental health support is available 24/7 via our helpline. Call 0121 262 3555 and you can speak to someone any time of day or night.
If you’re reluctant to speak on the phone, we also offer a live chat option, which is available at Birmingham Mind between 10am to 9pm every day
Your GP practice
If you have a health concern over the Christmas and New Year period, please contact your general practice team as normal when open.
If your GP practice is closed, please use the 111.nhs.uk or call 111 for any urgent health concerns.
111
If you need support from the NHS over the Christmas and New Year period, you can visit 111 online at 111.nhs.uk or call 111. The 111 service can tell you where to get help for your symptoms, if you’re not sure what to do, how to find general health information and advice, or where to get an emergency supply of your prescribed medicine.