NHS Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is encouraging the public to choose the right service if they are ill during the festive period.

GP practices and other urgent care services have remained open throughout the pandemic, but health services across Sheffield are extremely busy.

That’s why it’s more important than ever before to choose the right service for you and your needs, to ensure you get seen as quickly as possible and to free up urgent and emergency care services for those who need it the most.

Dr Terry Hudsen, GP and Chair of NHS Sheffield CCG, said: “There are lots of urgent care services available in Sheffield, you may not always need to go to A&E or to see a GP. There may be other services that can treat you more quickly and appropriately.

“If you’re unsure what service to use, call 111 or use https://111.nhs.uk/, who can advise appropriately. NHS 111 helps people get the right advice and treatment when they urgently need it. Clinicians, such as nurses, doctors, pharmacists and paramedics now play an important role in NHS 111. In fact, over 50% of people who call 111 speak to someone in one of these roles.”

Your local pharmacist can help with a wide range of minor illness and ailments without booking an appointment. Pharmacists are experts in medicines and how medicines work.

Most pharmacies have a quiet area where you can speak in private, and many are open during the evenings and weekends. They can also help you decide if you need to see a doctor. You can see pharmacy times over the Christmas period here.

If you need to see a GP when your practice is closed, you can access the GP out-of-hours service. There are a range of NHS urgent and routine healthcare services available on weekday evenings and at weekends through ‘hubs’ across Sheffield, including on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. You can book appointments for these services through your usual GP practice or by contacting NHS 111 when your GP practice is closed.

Walk-in services treat minor illnesses and injuries that do not need a visit to A&E. The Broad Lane walk in centre is open from 8am until 10pm every day, including Christmas Day, and sees people of all ages without an appointment.

The Minor Injuries Unit, at the Royal Hallamshire hospital is open from 8am until 8pm every day, apart from Christmas Day, and provides treatment for adults with less serious injuries. Many people go to the Accident and Emergency department at our Sheffield hospitals with minor injuries when they could usually be treated much more quickly at the Minor Injuries Unit.

Winter weather can also affect our health, this year it is expected that the flu season will be worse than usual as COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses are still circulating. Vaccines are the best protection we have against dangerous viruses like flu.

Dr Hudsen, added: “This year, more than ever, people who have been invited for a flu vaccine should take up the invite, as well as your COVID-19 vaccination. With COVID-19 and the OMICRON variant still circulating, it is more important than ever that people have their vaccination.

“If you get flu and COVID-19 at the same time, research shows you're more likely to be seriously ill. Having your vaccination will help to reduce pressure on the NHS and social care staff who may be dealing with COVID-19.

“Speak to your GP or pharmacist about having your vaccination. If you haven’t had a covid or flu vaccination, it’s not too late. If you didn’t want it before and you’ve changed your mind, please come forward – we won’t judge”

For more information on urgent care services, and the best option for you and your family, visit our Urgent Care website.

 A full list of where you can get your COVID-19 vaccination every day by simply walking in is also available here.