Support and services over Christmas and New Year 2023-24
Our local services are currently extremely busy and facing significant pressure this Christmas and New Year.
Please make the right choice to help you get the right support at the right place as soon as you need it.
Please call NHS 111 first or speak to your local pharmacist, or visit a minor injuries unit or urgent treatment centre. Some GPs have appointments available over the bank holiday.
Call 111 or use 111 online if it's not an emergency or if you're not sure which other service to use.
We have drawn together some key information to help you navigate which services are open when, and how to get help and support if you need it.
The Healthwatch information and signposting service will be closed from Friday 22nd December and re-open on Tuesday 2nd January 2024. No messages will be responded to during this period.
You can still contact us and we will respond as soon as possible in the New Year: info@healthwatchbrightonandhove.co.uk
If you would like to leave feedback about a specific health or care service, you are invited to submit a Feedback Centre review via our website.
We wish you a safe, happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year.
The Healthwatch Brighton and Hove Team
5 things to help you over the festive period
- Know the health and care services available to you and use the right one for your needs at the right time
- Stock up your medicine cabinet so you can treat minor issues at home
- Sign up for Cold Alerts, so you can be alerted when there is severe cold weather forecast in your area
- Make sure you have plenty of your medication to last you through the holidays when your GP and Pharmacy may be closed
- Look in on vulnerable neighbours and relatives who may need a bit of extra help over the winter.
Emergency services - NHS 111
Our Emergency Departments are here for you when you need them, but they are very busy.
If you need help over the winter, call 111 or visit NHS 111 online
It’s free to call from landlines and mobiles and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
NHS 111 is a non-emergency service you can use if you are unsure which healthcare service you need to visit. It can connect you to healthcare professionals, including nurses, emergency dentists or GPs.
The advisors at NHS111 can also arrange face-to-face appointments, and if assessed as needing an ambulance, send one directly. A call back by a clinician can also be requested using NHS111 online, based on health care need.
More information about NHS 111 can be found on this Healthwatch webpage
If you are struggling to breathe and have: a tight chest, chest pain or you are being sick Please call 999 immediately.
If you need urgent care: click this link to find locations of suitable services near you.
Mental health services
If you are struggling, you're not alone. The Sussex Mental Healthline offers a listening ear for anyone experiencing difficulties with their mental health. Call 0800 0309 500 for free.
The Samaritans provide help and support to people in a crisis 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Contact them by phone on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org
Mind offer a wide range of information including details of local contacts and support groups. Call 0300 123 3393 or visit www.mind.org.uk
Food banks and Cost of Living support
For details of Christmas opening times for community food banks, meals and shops please visit Brighton & Hove Food Partnership's webpage.
Cost of Living support
Help is available this winter for households in Brighton & Hove struggling to pay for food, fuel and other essential costs.
Coping with loneliness and isolation
The winter and festive season can be particularly challenging for those living alone. Isolation and loneliness can have a real impact on mental health, as well as physical health, for those who are unable to leave home. Help and support is available here.
Looking after your physical health this winter
The cold weather, being stuck at home and all the tempting food around the festive season can play havoc with our physical health so it’s important to take steps to stay active and healthy this winter.
Here are some national resources to help you stay physically healthy this winter:
- The One You website has a lot of advice and ideas for healthy meals you can cook at home.
- Public Health England has provided some free, easy 10-minute workouts for exercises you can do in your own home.
- You can also try the exercise suggestions on the NHS Fitness Studio, and have a look at Sport England for some ideas for keeping active at home.
GP Practices
Your GP’s opening hours may change over Christmas and New Year. Information should be available on your surgery’s website or telephone answering service.
Advice from NHS Sussex is to make sure you get your prescription medicines before your pharmacy or GP practice closes for holidays.
If you need medical advice outside of your GP’s opening hours, or should you need an emergency supply of your prescribed medicine, visit NHS 111 online or call 111.
Community Pharmacies
Advice from NHS Sussex is to make sure you have the prescription medicines you need and stock up your medicine cabinet as your pharmacy’s opening times may be different over the festive period.
Your pharmacy will be able to confirm any changes to their opening hours via their website, telephone service or an in-store notice.
Pharmacy opening times for Christmas & New Year 2023/24 | Healthwatch Brightonandhove
Dental Practices
Your dentist’s opening hours may change over Christmas and New Year. Information about closures and other options available to you during any closure time should be available on your practice’s own website or telephone answering service.
Further information is available here. A guide explaining your rights is available here.
The NHS Sussex Dental Helpline, 0300 123 1663, will continue to operate Monday – Friday, 8am – 4pm, over the festive period, except for bank holidays. They can support with information to help you access NHS dental services.
