Your essential guide to Health and Care Services in Northern Ireland this Christmas and New Year 2025
- Love Ballymena
- 4 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Health and care services remain available across Northern Ireland during the festive period to ensure residents can enjoy the holidays safely.
As families across Northern Ireland gather for Christmas dinners, carol singing, and New Year’s celebrations, the Department of Health is reminding everyone to prioritise both physical and mental wellbeing.
With the potential for winter bugs, minor accidents from icy paths or overenthusiastic festive games, and the emotional highs and lows of the season, accessing the right care promptly can prevent small issues from overshadowing the joy.
For many, the holidays evoke heartwarming stories of togetherness, but they can also bring unexpected health concerns—perhaps a child developing a sore throat amid excitement, or an elderly relative needing quick advice on medication.
These services are designed to support such real-life moments, allowing families to focus on creating memories rather than worrying about waits in busy departments.
The Department emphasises preparation and choosing appropriately:
“Self-care is the best choice to treat most minor illnesses, ailments and injuries. A range of common illnesses such as aches and pains, colds, upset stomachs and sore throats can be treated with over the counter medicines and plenty of rest.”
Planning Ahead: Prescriptions and Pharmacy Rotas
Start by ordering repeat prescriptions early, before GP practices close. Community pharmacies are often the first port of call, with many open longer hours.
Check the latest holiday pharmacy rotas on the Business Services Organisation website to find your nearest open pharmacy during bank holidays.
Community pharmacists provide expert advice and treatment for common conditions right in your local area.
Pharmacy First: Convenient Care Without Appointments
The Pharmacy First service, available at participating pharmacies, offers free advice and treatment for a wide range of conditions, easing pressure on GPs and helping you get back to festivities faster.
• Everyday conditions: acne, athlete’s foot, diarrhoea, earwax, groin infection, haemorrhoids, head lice, mouth ulcers, oral thrush, scabies, threadworms, vaginal thrush, verrucae.
• Emergency hormonal contraception (morning after pill) for ages 13+.
• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) for females aged 16-64.
• Sore throats (aged 5+).
• Shingles (aged 18+, at select pharmacies until 31 March 2026).
GP Services During the Holidays
GP practices offer additional same-day urgent consultations and stay open during lunchtimes in the working weeks around Christmas and New Year.
Closures fall on:
• Thursday 25 December 2025
• Friday 26 December 2025
• Thursday 1 January 2026
For urgent care outside these hours, use GP Out of Hours.
Phone First and Minor Injuries
To avoid unnecessary Emergency Department waits, use Phone First for non-life-threatening urgent issues. A health professional assesses you by phone and directs you appropriately.
Trust-specific numbers (check for updates):
• Belfast Trust (Royal Victoria, Mater): 028 9615 9444
• South Eastern Trust (Ulster, Lagan Valley, Downe): 028 9151 0110
• Northern Trust (Antrim Area, Causeway, Mid Ulster MIU): 0300 123 1 123
• Southern Trust (Craigavon, Daisy Hill, South Tyrone MIU): 0300 123 3 111
• Western Trust (Altnagelvin, South West Acute, Omagh): 0300 020 6000
Minor Injuries Units treat sprains, minor fractures, wounds, bites, burns, and more. Locations include Antrim Area, Causeway, Mid Ulster, South Tyrone, Omagh, and others.
Emergency Departments and Life-Threatening Cases
For serious conditions, head to Emergency Departments—check waiting times using button below.
Always call 999 for life-threatening emergencies like stroke, heart attack, or severe bleeding.
Emergency departments provide critical care, but Phone First can help direct you to the right service.
Dental, Eye, Social Work, and Mental Health Support
• Emergency Dental:
Registered patients contact their dentist first. Unregistered or out-of-hours: Call 028 2566 3510 (8am-noon) on 25-28 December 2025 and 1 January 2026 for triage.
• Urgent Eye Care: Contact your optometrist first; if closed, use Phone First or hospital.
• Emergency Social Work: 0800 197 9995
• Mental Health Crises: Lifeline 0808 808 8000 (24/7)
Additional tools:
By staying informed and using these services wisely, Northern Ireland residents can ensure a healthier, happier festive season.