Manx Care is highlighting the availability of health and care services over Christmas and New Year by signposting the opening times of key services across the festive period.
We are encouraging members of the public to consider which service is most appropriate to support their needs and to use these accordingly.
Christmas and the New Year are busy periods, so planning ahead and having basic self-care medication at home (for example painkillers, plasters, indigestion remedies and diarrhoea medication) is a good idea. In addition, local Community Pharmacists are a great source of advice and support for health and care needs and they may also be able to provide some treatment through the Minor Ailments Scheme. Under this they may be able to provide treatment for conditions including Bacterial Conjunctivitis, bacterial skin conditions, Impetigo, Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) including Cystitis, Shingles, Thrush (Vaginal and Oral), Hay fever, Coughs, Gout, Constipation, nappy rash or exercise-related injuries. To find out more, please see the Do you know about the Minor Ailments Scheme page.
Health Care services operating hours over the festive period
Below is a list of health and care services, when they are open over the festive period, and a series of links that provide more information.
Noble’s Hospital Emergency Department
Will remain open, however, Manx Care would encourage people to consider whether their condition is an emergency and therefore requires treatment there, or whether an alternative service may be able to support their needs.
The Minor Injuries and Illnesses Unit at Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital
Will be open from 8am to 8pm (final admissions at 7:30pm) every day of the year including over Christmas, New Year and all Bank Holidays. If anyone thinks their injury is substantial enough to require an X-Ray, please be aware that X-Rays can only be performed at Ramsey between 9am to 5pm on weekdays, excluding weekends and Bank Holidays (however there will be provision on 1 January 2024).
X-Rays will be available at MIU on Wednesday 27, Thursday 28 and Friday 29 December 2023 between 9am to 5pm, and Monday 1 January 2024 between 11am to 4:30pm.
The service will re-open as usual on Tuesday 2 January 2024.
Chester Street Vaccination Hub/111
Will be closed on the following dates: Monday 25 December, Tuesday 26 December, Wednesday 27 December, Thursday 28 December, Friday 29 December and Monday 1 January. Normal service will resume at 9:30am on Tuesday 2 January 2024.
The Manx Emergency Doctor Service (MEDS)
Open 24 hours
- Saturday 23 December
- Sunday 24 December
- Monday 25 December
- Tuesday 26 December
- Saturday 30 December
- Sunday 31 December 2023
- Monday 1 January 2024
Open from 6pm to 8am
- Wednesday 27 December
- Thursday 28 December
- Friday 29 December
- Tuesday 2 January 2024
The Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS)
Available through Specsavers on Strand Street in Douglas. This service will be unavailable until 9am on Tuesday 2 January 2024. For any eye complaints outside of the opening times, please visit either the Minor Injuries and Illnesses Unit at Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital, or the Emergency Department at Noble's Hospital.
Primary Care
- GP services will be covered by MEDS during the Christmas and New Year Bank Holiday periods
- On the Bank Holiday days, emergency dental cover will be provided through the emergency dental rota – this can be found on Dentists webpage
- Information about Opticians can be found on the Opticians webpage
Patient Transfer
Will be available Wednesday 27 December through the following contact details
IOM Travel: + 44 1624 642666
UK Travel: + 44 1624 642673
Email: patient.transfers@gov.im
Patient transfer opening hours for the rest of the festive period can be found below:
Closed
- Saturday 23 December
- Sunday 24 December
- Monday 25 December
- Tuesday 26 December
- Saturday 30 December
- Sunday 31 December 2023
- Monday 1 January 2024
Office open 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm
- Thursday 28 December
- Friday 29 December
- Tuesday 2 January 2024
Community Pharmacies
Information about the Island’s Community Pharmacies can be found on their webpage.
Community Pharmacy opening times across the Christmas Bank Holiday period is as follows:
Monday 25 December 2023
Douglas
- Address: Clear, 22 Woodbourne Road
- Phone Number: +44 1624 675900
- Times: 12 noon to 1pm
Peel
- Address: Clear: 6-8 Michael Street
- Phone Number: +44 1624 843130
- Times: 12 noon to 1pm
Ramsey
- Address: Clear: Clear, Parliament Street
- Phone Number: +44 1624 812167
- Times: 12 noon to 1pm
South
- No Cover
Tuesday 26 December
Douglas
- Address: Boots the Chemist, 14/22 Strand Street
- Phone Number: +44 1624 616120
- Times: 10am to 4:30pm
- Address: Clear, Shoprite, Victoria Road
- Phone Number: +44 1624 673268
- Times: 10am to 2pm
Peel
- Address: Clear, 8-10 Atholl Place
- Phone Number: +44 1624 842264
- Times: 12 noon to 1pm
Ramsey
- Address: Clear, Shoprite, Bowring Road
- Phone Number: +44 1624 812246
- Times: 10am to 2pm
South
- Address: Clear, Darnill's Complex, Station Road, Port Erin
- Phone Number: +44 1624 831239
- Times: 12 noon to 1pm
Sunday 1 January 2024
Douglas
- Address: Clear, 22 Woodbourne Road
- Phone Number: +44 1624 675900
- Times: 12 noon to 1pm
Peel
- Address: Clear: 6-8 Michael Street
- Phone Number: +44 1624 843130
- Times: 12 noon to 1pm
Ramsey
- Address: Clear: Clear, 17 Parliament Street
- Phone Number: +44 1624 812167
- Times: 12 noon to 1pm
South
- No Cover
Mental Health
Manx Care recognises that this time of the year can be wonderful for some, but overwhelming for others. The Samaritans work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and can be contacted on 116 123 at any time.
Manx Care's Integrated Mental Health Team offers a crisis response approach to individuals who are experiencing an acute mental health crisis that necessitates a rapid response. The Crisis Response Home Treatment team is contactable on +44 1624 642860. Medical emergencies or instances that present an imminent risk of harm should be directed to the emergency services on 999.
Cancer support
If you are affected by cancer and require information, signposting or support, you can contact the Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Service (MCISS). The MCISS will be manned at the following times:
Closed
- Monday 25 December
- Tuesday 26 December
- Monday 1 January 2024
Open 9:30am to 4:30pm
- Friday 22 December
- Wednesday 27 December
- Thursday 28 December
- Friday 29 December
- Tuesday 2 January 2024
The team can also be contacted by phone on + 44 1624 650735 and email MCISS@gov.im (voicemail and emails are monitored during the above working hours).
Macmillan’s national support line is also open every day between 8am and 8pm and is available on 0808 808 00 00.
This information will be shared across Manx Care’s social media channels (@ManxCare) as well as on the Manx Care webpage and the Signposting webpage.
