The NHS has released opening times for pharmacies operating on Christmas Day across mid and south Essex*, with pharmacy staff working to ensure people can still access essential medicines and health advice when they need it most.
Although many pharmacies will be closed between Christmas Day (Thursday 25 December) and Monday 29 December, some will be open for limited hours to support patients who are unwell or need urgent help.
Dr Matthew Sweeting, Executive Medical Director at NHS Mid and South Essex said: “Community pharmacies can support you with advice and medication for many common health conditions, including antibiotics, if necessary. Pharmacists are qualified health professionals that can help advise you on treatment options or direct you to health services that can help if you need extra support.
“If you need help on Christmas Day and over the festive period, some pharmacies in our area will be open. The best way to find an open pharmacy near you is to use the NHS ‘find a pharmacy’ service on the NHS website.”
The NHS website’s ‘find a pharmacy’ service helps people quickly locate nearby pharmacies. Each pharmacy’s page will have service information such as opening hours, contact details and what services the pharmacy provides.
NHS Mid and South Essex advises to always check before visiting a pharmacy to make sure it is open.
Some pharmacists can also provide prescription medication for seven common illnesses through the Pharmacy First scheme, which covers conditions such as sore throats, sinusitis and earaches in children.
For urgent help, NHS Mid and South Essex advises people to check NHS 111 online or call 111. The 111 service directs people to the most appropriate NHS service near them that can help based on their symptoms.
The 111 online symptom checker and phone line are open 24 hours a day. Emergency lines are also open 24 hours a day for serious and life-threatening emergencies.
In case of a mental health crisis, adults can call NHS 111 and select the option for mental health at any time. Young people under 18 can call 0800 953 0222 from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday or 0800 995 1000 outside these hours or on bank holidays.
