Healthcare services over a bank holiday

On bank holidays, NHS services may be closed or have different opening times. This page goes through what to do and where to go if you need medical help over a bank holiday.

Treating your minor health needs at home

For those minor injuries and illnesses, keep a selection of medication and essential items at home at all times.

Pain relief and fever reducers

• Paracetamol for pain relief and reducing fever
• Ibuprofen for pain relief, reducing inflammation, and fever

Cold and flu treatments

• Decongestants to relieve a blocked nose
• Cough syrups for both dry or chesty cough
• Throat lozenges or sprays to soothe a sore throat
• Vapour rub to ease nasal congestion and soothe a cough

Digestive aids

• Antacids to relieve indigestion and heartburn
• Antidiarrhoeal medication: to help to manage diarrhoea
• Oral rehydration salts for rehydration after diarrhoea or vomiting

First aid supplies

• Thermometer
• Plasters and bandages
• Tweezers for removing splinters
• Antiseptic cream or spray to prevent infection from cuts and grazes

Miscellaneous items

• Lip balm
• Moisturiser for face, hands and body
• Hand sanitiser to prevent the spread of germs
• Saline nasal spray to help clear nasal passages

Always read the label when taking any medication and take them as directed. If you have any questions of concerns about medication, then speak to your pharmacist.

Repeat prescriptions

GP practices, pharmacies and NHS 111 sees an increase in people getting in touch about repeat prescriptions just before the bank holiday starts. This puts pressure on NHS staff as they try to meet the needs of everyone getting in contact.

GP practices and most pharmacies will also be closed on bank holidays. To make sure you get your medication without any issues, please remember to order any repeat prescription medication that you need ahead of time. Aim to order your prescription seven days in advance to make sure there’s plenty of time to organise your medication.

If you are going away, remember to take your medications with you.

Think Pharmacy First

Going to your local pharmacy offers an easy and convenient way to get clinical advice on minor health concerns – you don’t need an appointment and you can be seen in a private consultation room if you prefer.

Your local pharmacy can help with minor illnesses like coughs, colds and red eye. Your local pharmacist can also provide some prescription medicines for certain conditions, if needed, without a GP appointment. You can get care directly from a pharmacist for conditions including earache, impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles, sinusitis, sore throat and urinary tract infections (UTIs) for women ages 16-64 from local pharmacies.

Pharmacies are open late, on weekends and during bank holidays with no appointment needed. They can also signpost you to your GP, A&E or other relevant local service, where necessary.

NHS 111

NHS 111 is available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day for urgent health concerns, giving you advice and reassurance quickly and easily.

111.NHS.UK can direct you to the most appropriate service to meet their needs. If needed a healthcare professional will call you back.

Accessing dental services

If you think you need urgent dental treatment over the bank holiday, contact your usual dentist. If you can’t or you don’t have one then visit 111.nhs.uk.

If it is urgent, you will be provided with details of your local out of hours service.

Mental health

Adults experiencing a mental health crisis, can speak to a mental health professional anytime, day or night, by calling NHS 111 and selecting the option for mental health. Call 0800 995 1000 for under 18s who need urgent mental health support.

NHS Website

Remember you can get the answers to hundreds of health questions, including seasonal advice via the NHS website.

NHS App

The NHS App provides a simple and secure way to access a wide range of services on a smartphone or tablet. It offers access to certain NHS services online.

Guide to local health services over bank holidays

We have produced a guide to local health services over the bank holidays which you can download. This is updated ahead of each bank holiday and can be printed.

Christmas bank holiday services guide (pdf, 788kb)

Remember, if it is a life-threatening emergency or if you are concerned about an immediate risk of harm, either to yourself or someone else, please phone 999.