Getting Help over the May Bank Holidays

With the May Bank Holidays approaching, some local services may be closed or reduced. But your health does not take days off, so find out where you can get help if you need it.

Need to see a Doctor or a Dentist? NHS 111 can help

While GP Practices will be closed on Monday, 6th May 2024 (Early May Bank Holiday) and Monday, 27th May 2024 (Spring Bank Holiday), you can still call NHS111 if you need urgent help or advice. NHS111 will remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also access NHS111 online at 111.nhs.uk or using the NHS App.

Emergency Care

Accident and Emergency (A&E) Departments assess and treat patients with life-threatening serious injuries or illnesses. You should visit A&E or call 999 for life-threatening emergencies, such as:

• loss of consciousness
• acute confused state and fits that are not stopping
• persistent, severe chest pain
• breathing difficulties
• severe bleeding that cannot be stopped.

If you need an ambulance, call 999. 

Major A&E Departments offer access 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

A list of local A&E Departments follows below:

• St Mary's Hospital, Praed Street, Paddington, London W2 1NY
• Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Road, London W6 8RF
• Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, 369 Fulham Road, London SW10 9NH
• University College London Hospital, Ground Floor, 235 Euston Road
• Western Eye Hospital, 153-173 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5QH

Experiencing a mental health problem?

NHS 111 is now able to offer help and advice for mental health issues as well. If you need urgent support for your mental health or are experiencing a mental health crisis, then you can call the crisis line on 0800 0234 650.

The Samaritans hotline is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. If you need to talk to someone at any point over the holidays, please call 116 123, from any phone for FREE.

Pharmacy First 

For help and advice regarding any minor health concerns over the holidays, you can speak to a Pharmacist in a local community pharmacy. A number of pharmacies around Central and West London will be open for a few hours over the Easter Bank Holidays, and may be able to offer you advice and medication that will help.

Check below for a list of community pharmacies that will be open over the Bank Holidays in May:

If the pharmacy you would like to visit is not listed here, please check its opening hours by searching www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-pharmacy or by calling NHS 111.

Published: Apr 29, 2024