Illness and accidents often happen over the Christmas and New Year period. We all know how it is - you’ve been working hard in the run up to Christmas and as soon as you have a few days off, you become poorly.

Also, with festive parties, families coming together, bad weather, icy roads and perhaps a few more drinks than usual, accidents can happen, and maybe more often than at other times of the year.

So where do you turn if you need medical help this Christmas and New Year? Many people’s first thought is the local A&E department, but most illnesses and conditions can be treated more effectively elsewhere, nearer to where you live … and without you having to wait hours to be seen.

Please don’t go to a hospital A&E department unless you have a critical or life threatening problem. You may stop someone else getting the treatment they urgently need.

So where should you go and who should you call?

Treat yourself at home

A lot of illnesses can be treated at home with medicines you can buy at your local pharmacy and by getting plenty of rest. ‘Selfcare’ is the best choice to treat very minor illnesses and injuries.

NHS Direct

NHS Direct provides a telephone advice service. Your call will be answered by a call handler and passed to a nurse. The number is 0845 46 47. You can also find advice on common health problems such as colds and flu, back pain, earache or contraception needs on their website at: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Pharmacists

Don’t forget your local Pharmacist. Pharmacists don’t just dispense prescriptions, they can also provide advice and over the counter medicines for a whole range of problems including the ‘morning after’ pill.

We have pharmacies open at Christmas and New Year – even on Christmas Day. For the latest pharmacist’s opening hours over the holidays go online to: http://www.onel.nhs.uk/health-services/christmas-and-new-year-opening-times.htm

Your GP

GPs offer ‘extended hours’ – opening early in the morning or late into the evening, so try your own GP practice first.

Out of hours GP

If your GP is closed, the Out of Hours Doctor Service is staffed by doctors who will assess you over the telephone and may visit you at home if you are very unwell or ask you to come to a local centre. Just phone your GP and you will be given the correct number to call.

Walk-in centres and polyclinics

Outer north east London has six large health centres that have extended opening hours and you do not need an appointment to be seen. Five of these six health centres are open over Bank Holidays, Christmas and New Year as usual. Details of opening times can be found on our website. http://www.onel.nhs.uk/health-services/christmas-and-new-year-opening-times.htm

In Waltham Forest we have the Oliver Road Polyclinic run by the Orient Practice, 75 Oliver Road, Leyton, E10 5PG Tel: 020 8430 8323. They are open 8am to 8pm every day including weekends. They will also be open from 8am to 8pm on all Christmas and New Year bank holidays. The walk in GP practice is open during these hours and you do not have to be registered to see a doctor.

In Barking and Dagenham we have the Upney Lane Walk-in Centre and Broad Street Walk-in Centre.

• Upney Lane Walk-in Centre, 132 Upney Lane, Barking, Essex, IG11 9YD Tel: 020 8924 6262. They will be closed on Christmas Day but open from 9am to 10pm on all other bank holidays.
• Broad Street Walk-in Centre, Morland Road, Dagenham, Essex, RM10 9HU Tel: 0208 596 4400. They are open from 10am to 6pm on all Christmas and New Year bank holidays.

In Havering we have Harold Wood Walk-in Centre and the Orchard Village Walk-in Centre at Rainham.

• Harold Wood Polyclinic and Walk-in Centre, Gubbins Lane, Harold Wood, RM3 0FE Tel: 01708 792000. They will also be open from 8am to 8pm on all Christmas and New Year bank holidays.
• Orchard Village Health Centre, Roman Close, Rainham, Essex, RM13 8QB Tel: 01708 793900. They will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Bank holiday 27 December, New Year’s Day and Bank holiday 2 January 2012.

In Redbridge we have Loxford Polyclinic, 417 Ilford Lane, Town Centre, Ilford, IG1 2PF Tel: 020 8822 3800.They are open from 8am to 8pm on all Christmas and New Year bank holidays.

A&E or 999

For life threatening conditions such as choking, chest pain, blood loss or blacking out, do not hesitate to call 999. Tell the operator that there is a medical emergency; a response vehicle will be sent to your location.

Dental emergency

Many of our dentists are open on Christmas Eve and between Christmas and New Year. If you have a dental emergency at Christmas or New Year you should call the emergency Out of Hours Service on 020 7377 7151. The service is open on Bank Holidays: 7.30am – 8.00pm. If you have a dental emergency outside these hours you need to visit A&E.

 NHS outer north east London wishes everybody a happy, healthy Christmas and New Year.

Please contact Andy Strickland media manager for NHS outer north east London if you have any queries Tel: 020 8822 3024 or by Mob: 07876 476804. Email Andrew.strickland@onel.nhs.uk.