No one wants to find themselves feeling unwell this Christmas 🤧

GP surgeries will be closing their doors over the holiday season.
Cases of the flu are continuing to surge across NI.
Here’s where you can go if you find yourself in need of medical attention.

No one wants to find themselves feeling unwell this Christmas, but with seasonal illnesses such as the flu on the rise, you could find yourself feeling under the weather over the holiday season.

If you need medical care, it’s important to choose the best option. The festive period will impact the opening hours of your GP and pharmacies, meaning accessing care when you feel unwell might look slightly different.

Here’s everything you need to know about where to go if you need medical care at Christmas or New Year’s.

Are GP surgeries open over Christmas and New Year's?

GP surgeries will close their doors on Christmas Day (Thursday, December 25), Boxing Day (Friday, December 26) and New Year’s Day (Thursday, January 1). You can find out your GP’s opening hours by entering your postcode into the Find a GP section on NI Direct.

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Where to go for medical care at Christmas?

If you find yourself feeling unwell over the Christmas period and your GP surgery is closed, there are some options available.

Seek medical attention only if it is required, for example, if you are experiencing a common cold, upset stomach or sore throat, this can be treated with over-the-counter medications and plenty of rest.

If you have a mild or minor illness, you can find out information on symptoms using the NI Direct A-Z symptom checker.

If you need to access medical care but it’s not a life-threatening emergency, you can attend your local Minor Injury unit or urgent care service. Each health trust in Northern Ireland has its own service; you can find how to contact each one below: