Need health advice this winter? Help us help you stay well.

This winter, Londoners will have access to a range of healthcare services to help them stay well.

if you don’t feel well enough to go to work or carry out normal activities over the festive period, try to stay at home and avoid contact with others.

Advice from a pharmacist

Visiting your local pharmacy can be the fastest way to get advice if you have a minor health problem. Pharmacists are highly trained medical professionals who can help with a wide range of issues – from stomach bugs and skin rashes to emergency contraception, information about condoms, and minor injuries like strains and sprains.

Some local pharmacies may have different opening hours over the festive period. Visit nhs.uk/find-a-pharmacy to find an open pharmacy near you on the day you need access.

Alternatively, view the list of pharmacy opening times over Christmas (25-26 December and New Year (1 January).

Getting a repeat prescription

Make sure you order and collect your repeat prescriptions in good time ahead of the Christmas and New Year bank holidays. You can order prescriptions online, via the NHS App or by speaking to your GP practice. Find out more.

Seeing a GP or a practice nurse

If you have a health concern over the festive period, please contact your general practice team as normal when open. When closed, visit NHS 111 online or call 111 if you can’t get online for any urgent health concerns.

Most GP surgeries now offer online and video consultations. This can save you time waiting for a face-to-face appointment and means you do not need to go into a GP surgery.

Urgent medical issue, or unsure what to do? Use NHS 111.

If you or a child over the age of 5 years has an urgent medical issue, or you’re unsure if you need to go to A&E, use the NHS 111 online service. You will be asked questions about your main symptoms, so we can find the right care for you.

If you can’t get online, you can call 111 to speak to a fully trained advisor, 24 hours a day. If necessary, 111 advisors can connect callers to health care professionals such as a nurse, emergency dentist or a GP.

Getting help in an emergency

Call 999 or go to A&E in a medical or mental health emergency. This is when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk. Find out more on the NHS website.

Managing health at home

Find information on treating minor health conditions at home, including managing a hangover, on the NHS website.

For advice on managing children’s health issues, visit Healthier Together. You will find a range of advice for parents on issues like conjunctivitis, headaches, constipation and eczema. 

Getting your flu jab and seasonal COVID-19 booster vaccination

For some, flu and COVID-19 are unpleasant. But for many, particularly those with certain health conditions, older people and pregnant women, they can be very dangerous and even life-threatening.

Protect yourself and your loved ones by getting your flu and seasonal COVID-19 vaccinations.

It’s best to get vaccinated as soon as possible to make sure you are protected during the colder months, as it can take up to two weeks for your body to build up maximum defences against the viruses.

You can find out the latest information about both the COVID-19 and the flu vaccines and how to get one at www.nhs.uk/wintervaccinations.