How and where to access health and care services over the festive period
Many health and care services change their working hours over the Christmas and New Year period.
We have drawn together some key information to help you navigate which services are open when, and how to get help and support if you need it.
We wish you a safe, happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year.
The Healthwatch East Sussex Team
5 things you can do to get ready for the festive period
- Stock up your medicine cabinet so you can treat minor issues at home
- Sign up for Cold Alerts, so you can be alerted when there is severe cold weather forecast in your area
- Make sure you have plenty of your medication to last you through the holidays when your GP and Pharmacy may be closed
- Know the services available to you and use the right one for your needs at the right time
- Look out for vulnerable neighbours and relatives who may need a bit of extra help over the winter
Healthwatch Information and Signposting Service
Our Information and Signposting Service will be closed from 12pm on 24th December, re-opening on Thursday 2nd January 2024
A voicemail service will be available for you to leave a message, or you can email enquiries@healthwatcheastsussex.co.uk.
Any enquiries received during our closure period will be responded to as promptly as possible when the service re-starts in January.
Our telephone service, 0333 101 4007, is normally available between 10am and 2pm, Monday to Friday.
If you would like to leave feedback about a specific health or care service, you are invited to submit a Feedback Centre review via our website.
Support with NHS Complaints Advocacy
The Advocacy People provide NHS complaints advocacy to support people in East Sussex with a complaint if a service provided or paid for by the NHS does not meet the appropriate standards.
They can be contacted by:
Calling: 0330 440 9000
Emailing: info@theadvocacypeople.org.uk
Over the Festive Period the opening hours of the Advocacy People’s Contact Centre will differ. Please see below for their opening hours:
Monday 23rd December 9am – 5pm
Tuesday 24th December 9am – 5pm
Wednesday 25th Closed
Thursday 26th Closed
Friday 27th 9am – 5pm
Monday 30th 9am – 5pm
Tuesday 31st 9am – 5pm
Wednesday 1st January Closed
Thursday 2nd onwards 9am – 5pm
Emergency, urgent and routine medical care
Using the right service at the right time will help the NHS to respond appropriately to your needs. 
For an immediate, life threatening medical emergency call 999.
For non-emergency medical advice contact your GP, or NHS 111 if you are unable to access a GP service. You may be able to find the medical advice you need online.
The NHS 111 online service can tell you
• where to get help for your symptoms, if you’re not sure what to do
• how to find general health information and advice
• where to get an emergency supply of your prescribed medicine
• how to get a repeat prescription
Adult Social Care enquiries and safety concerns
Contact the Health and Social Care Connect team (East Sussex County Council) on 0345 60 80 191 if you would like to:
- report abuse or neglect (please phone) If the person is in immediate danger, contact the police on 999
- apply for care and support
- get support for a carer
This service is open 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week including bank holidays. Calls are charged at a local rate. Select menu option 2 to connect to the Emergency Duty Service for an out of hours emergency.
You can also access further information via the East Sussex County Council website.
Updates for accessing health and care services over the festive period
Support with emotional wellbeing
The 24/7 Sussex mental health crisis line offers listening support, advice, information and signposting to anyone experiencing difficulties, or who may be in crisis and in urgent need of help, with their mental health.
The service is free and is available to anyone of any age who is concerned about their own mental health or that of a relative or friend.
To access the service call NHS 111 and select the mental health option
If you’re deaf or have hearing loss, please use the following link to be connected to the crisis service:
- To connect with a BSL interpreter, please visit SignVideo. The interpreter will contact Sussex Mental Healthline on your behalf.
- To use Text Relay, please call 0300 5000 101.
The urgent help in a crisis page provides details about additional support as well as more information.
GP Practices
Your GP’s opening hours may change over Christmas and New Year. Information should be available on your surgery’s website or telephone answering service.
Make sure you get your prescription medicines before your pharmacy or GP practice closes for the holidays.
If you need medical advice outside of your GP’s opening hours, or should you need an emergency supply of your prescribed medicine, visit NHS 111 online or call 111.
Dental Practices
Your dentist’s opening hours may change over Christmas and New Year.
Information about closures and other options available to you during any closure time should be available on your practice’s own website or telephone answering service.
If you are in need of temporary urgent dental treatment or advice outside of your dentist’s opening hours the Sussex Dental Helpline, will be open from 8am to 4pm on normal working days (not bank holidays).
Call: 0300 123 1663 or Email: kcht.dentalhelpdesk@nhs.net
The Emergency dental lines are open as follows:
Eastbourne – 01323 449170
The service is open between 6.30pm and 10.30pm on weekday evenings with appointments between 7pm and 9pm.
Weekends and Bank Holidays 1pm to 5.30pm with appointments between 2pm to 4pm
Hastings – 01424 850792
The service is open between 6.30pm and 10.30pm on weekday evenings with appointments between 7pm and 9pm.
Weekends and Bank Holidays 9am to 1.30pm with appointments between 10am to 12pm
Further information on the Emergency Dental Service in East Sussex is available here.
Community Pharmacy
Advice from NHS Sussex is to make sure you get your prescription medicines before your pharmacy or GP practice closes for the holidays and ask your pharmacist what medicines should be in your cabinet to help you and your family through the festive period.
Find the opening hours for pharmacies in East Sussex during the Christmas bank holiday period here
