5 December 2024
The next public holidays are on Wednesday 25 & Thursday 26 December 2024 and Wednesday 1 & Thursday 2 January 2025.
Community Pharmacies
Please remember to get ready for the upcoming public holidays by checking your repeat prescription and ordering only what you need – ideally up to 10 working days in advance.
It’s also a good idea to stock up on common over-the-counter medications so that you are ready to deal with any common seasonal illnesses such as coughs, indigestion or dehydration from sickness and diarrhoea.
On Christmas Day (25 December 2024) and New Year's Day (1 January 2025) no community pharmacies will be open. On the 26 December 2024 and 2 January 2025 some community pharmacies will be open.
Community Pharmacists can provide you with expert advice and treatment for a range of common illnesses and ailments and give advice about your medicines.
Dental
The Public Dental Service clinics at Hawick Dental Centre, Coldstream Dental Centre, Galashiels Health Centre and Kelso Health Centre will be closed on 25 & 26 December 2024 and 1 & 2 January 2025. If you need emergency dental support during this time, please call NHS 24 on 111.
Health Centres & GP Practices
All Health Centres and GP Practices in the Borders will be closed on25 & 26 December 2024 and 1 & 2 January 2025 (with the exception of Newcastleton Medical Practice which will be open on 2 January 2025).
Practices will be open in between Christmas and New Year, however, please do not attend without an appointment. If you need to see your GP, please phone your practice.
Right Care Right Place
Please seek the right care in the right place at the right time to help protect our services for those who need us most.
Often your first port of call should be the NHS inform website. There are lots of self-help guides available for a wide range of ailments and illnesses and information about services that are available to best meet your needs such as your local community pharmacy.
If you think you need to go to the Emergency Department but it’s not critical or life-threatening, call NHS 24 on 111, day or night, or contact your General Practice.
Only go to the Emergency Department or call 999 if you need urgent medical care for a critical emergency such as a suspected heart attack, stroke or excessive bleeding.
If you attend and it is not a critical emergency you will be redirected to the right care in the right place in the community or to self-manage at home. This redirection helps us manage resources effectively and ensures that those in critical need receive immediate attention.
More information about accessing healthcare in the Borders is available here.
For more information about accessing healthcare in the Borders, please visit our website: www.nhsborders.scot.nhs.uk/accessing-healthcare