Most GP practices and pharmacies will be closed for at least part of the Christmas and New Year period, so make sure you know how to access medical care if you need it.

There are many steps you can take to help look after yourself at what is always a very busy time for NHS health services:

Self-care

You can safely treat the symptoms of many minor ailments at home, with rest and over-the-counter medicines. Ask a pharmacist for advice at the first sign of any illness, even coughs and colds.

Use trusted NHS online services

The NHS Choices website offers advice on a range of health issues and is a useful place to turn for medical advice.

If you are a parent or carer, another resource on offer in B&NES is the paediatric HANDiApp. It is free to download to smartphones and tablets and contains expert advice about the most common childhood illnesses, as well as lots of specific advice about how common ailments can be treated at home. Download for free from iTunes or Google Play.

Ask your pharmacist

Pharmacists are an excellent source of health advice, particularly about long-term conditions and common illnesses such as coughs, colds and stomach upsets. You do not need an appointment to see them and many have private consultation areas. Your pharmacist will tell you if you need further medical attention.

If you have followed the steps above and still need medical help, call 111. If your GP surgery is closed and you need urgent medical help but are not sure where to go, you should make a free phone call to NHS 111, which is available 24/7.

An adviser will ask questions to assess your symptoms and then give you the advice you need or direct you to the best service for you in your area. If required, the adviser will book you an appointment with your nearest GP out-of-hours service or even call an ambulance if needed.

Emergency departments, 999 and the ambulance service are for life-threatening emergencies and accidents including; loss of consciousness, suspected heart attacks, breathing difficulties or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped. Emergency departments are likely to be extremely busy over Christmas and New Year with long waiting times, so please call NHS 111 for advice first if you are not sure where to go for help.

Please try to avoid visiting relatives in hospital over the Christmas and New Year period if you have any symptoms of norovirus – the ‘winter sickness bug’. Wait until 48 hours after your symptoms have passed to prevent passing it to others.

GP Practice Opening Times

All 24 GP practices in Bath and North East Somerset will be closed on public holidays over Christmas and New Year. This includes Tuesday, 25th December, Wednesday, 26th December and Tuesday, 1st January 2019.

Evening and weekend appointments with GPs and nurses are now available at practices in the B&NES area – just contact your GP surgery in the usual way to check availability.

Pharmacy Opening Times:

Christmas Eve, Monday, 24th December: Pharmacies open as usual.

Christmas Day, Tuesday, 25th December: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Jhoots Chemist, 88 Frome Road, Odd Down, Bath, BA2 2PP. Tel: 01225 833003.

• 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Well Pharmacy, 3 Claremont Terrace, Camden Road, Bath, BA1 6EH. Tel: 01225 319445.

• 2.30 p.m. – 7 p.m., Jhoots Pharmacy, 28 Brock Street, Bath, BA1 2LN. Tel: 01225 426998.

• 3 p.m. – 5 p.m., Boots Pharmacy, 40 High Street, Keynsham, BS31 1DX. Tel: 0117 9863247.

• 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., Keynsham Pharmacy, 15 Station Road, Keynsham, BS31 2BH. Tel: 0117 3294355.

• 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Lloyds Pharmacy, Chesterfield House, High Street, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2DD. Tel: 01761 413251.

• 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., Shaunaks Pharmacy, 15 Bath Road, Peasedown, Bath, BA2 8DH. Tel: 01761 432235.

Boxing Day, Wednesday, 26th December: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Boots, 1 Newark Street, Southgate. Bath, BA1 1AT, Tel: 01225 461251.

• 10.30 a.m. – 4.30 p.m., Boots Pharmacy, 33–35 Westgate, Bath, BA1 1EL. Tel: 01225 482069.

• 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Lloyds Pharmacy, Green Park Station, Green Park Road, Bath, BA1 2DR. Tel: 01225 422740.

• 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Boots Pharmacy, 40 High Street, Keynsham, BS31 1DX, Tel: 0117 9863247.

• 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Lloyds Pharmacy, Chesterfield House, High Street, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2DD. Tel: 01761 413251.

New Year’s Eve, Monday, 31st December: Pharmacies open as usual, with the exception of The Bathwick Pharmacy in Argyle Street, Bath, which is closed all day.

New Year’s Day, Tuesday, 1st January: 10.30 a.m. – 4.30 p.m., Boots Pharmacy, 33–35 Westgate, Bath, BA1 1EL. Tel: 01225 482069.

• 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Lloyds Pharmacy, Green Park Station, Green Park Road, Bath, BA1 2DR. Tel: 01225 422740.

• 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Boots, 1 Newark Street, Southgate. Bath, BA1 1AT. Tel: 01225 461251.

• 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., The Bathwick Pharmacy, 8 Argyle Street, Bath, BA2 4BQ. Tel: 01225 464429.

• 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Boots Pharmacy, 40 High Street, Keynsham, BS31 1DX. Tel: 0117 9863247.

• 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Lloyds Pharmacy, Chesterfield House, High Street, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2DD. Tel: 01761 413251.

The Riverside Clinic for sexual health and contraception, on James St West, Bath, will hold walk-in clinics on 24th, 27th, 28th and 31st December from 8.15 a.m. – 12 noon. Normal service resumes on Wednesday 2nd January 2019.

The Keynsham clinic will be closed until 2nd January.