With the Christmas season approaching, the National Health Service (NHS) is bracing itself for what many expect to be one of the busiest times of the year. Health leaders, including Nicola Shopland, Chief Nurse at St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, are urging the public to stay safe during the festive holiday as they anticipate significant pressure on health services.
According to recent NHS figures, there has been a six percent increase in patient visits to St George's Hospital in Tooting compared to last December. Shopland highlighted the sheer volume of unwell patients needing care: "We’re coming to our busiest time of year, and our hospitals are under extreme pressure. Our incredible staff will be working over Christmas to keep people safe and well, and we cannot thank them enough – but there are steps everyone can take to help them."
To help lighten the burden on health services, the NHS has shared several key recommendations for the public to follow. First and foremost, if individuals have urgent healthcare needs but not emergencies, they are encouraged to visit NHS 111 online, which operates 24/7. This service can provide guidance and direct patients to suitable treatment options based on their symptoms.
Alongside NHS 111, mental health resources are available too. Residents of South West London can access 24-hour mental health support via 0800 915 4644. For minor ailments such as colds, earaches, and sore throats, pharmacists can also offer advice and may prescribe medication without the need for prior appointments. Notably, many pharmacies remain open late, with some services operating during Christmas.
During the festive season, protecting oneself against winter illnesses is another major health focus. The NHS continues to advocate for vaccinations against flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), especially for those eligible. This information is available on the NHS website, alongside guidance on how to remain safe and well this winter.
Online behavior during the Christmas holidays also shows how the public turns to the NHS for advice on various health-related topics. Notably, data released by NHS England reveals substantial spikes in visits to online health advice pages during Christmas. For example, searches related to drinking and breastfeeding surged by 146% last year, highlighting public interest around combining alcohol consumption with breastfeeding.
The NHS advised on its website: "An occasional drink is unlikely to harm your baby, especially if you wait at least two hours after having a drink before feeding, but warns: 'Regularly drinking above the recommended limits can be harmful for you and your baby.'" This notable uptick was part of overall heightened online engagement with healthcare topics during the holiday. The NHS website experienced increased visits to pages discussing symptoms of the norovirus, which recorded 19,170 visits over the festive period, equaling one view every nine seconds.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England's Medical Director, stressed: "Accidents and injuries can happen, so if you do burn yourself putting the roast potatoes in the oven, or if you pick up a winter virus and want some support to manage the symptoms, the NHS website is the best place to find useful advice on what to do."
There was also heightened online interest surrounding alcohol poisoning during the Christmas period, with inquiries rising by 60%, as well as increased page views concerning animal and human bites and rabies. Health officials affirm the importance of having reliable information available, especially over holidays where accidents are more likely to occur.
Falling ill during the holiday remains concerning for many. Medical facilities like GP surgeries typically close on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day due to the holidays. Despite this, NHS 111 remains operational 24/7 and provides those needing urgent medical advice access to necessary resources. Should urgent support be needed, calls can be routed to nurses, doctors, or emergency services when required.
For advice on non-emergency health problems, NHS 111 is touted as an excellent resource. Dr. Gareth Wallis, Medical Director for NHS England North West, reiterated the NHS's commitment: "The NHS is here for you if you need us over the festive season. NHS 111 can direct you to the most appropriate local treatment, whether that's your GP, pharmacy, or even the nearest A&E department."
Equipped with the right information, the public can take proactive measures to care for their well-being, enabling NHS staff to focus on those who need immediate care. The festive season need not pose overwhelming challenges if individuals are prepared and stay informed about healthcare access and available resources. This Christmas, the call is clear—people are urged to utilize NHS services responsibly to lessen the strain on this invaluable health system.
