Holiday Health Emergencies: What to Do When Your GP Is Closed

The holidays should be about joy, family gatherings, and making memories, not worrying about what happens if someone gets hurt or falls ill when your regular GP surgery has closed its doors. We understand that health emergencies don't take a holiday break, which is exactly why Cornerstone GP Services remains open throughout the entire holiday season.

While many practices close over Christmas and New Year, we're here for you 8am to 9pm, seven days a week, offering same-day appointments, telephone support, video calls, and London home visits when you need them most. But we also want you to feel confident handling those inevitable holiday health moments, whether they require immediate emergency care or can wait for our expert guidance.

When Every Minute Counts: True Medical Emergencies

Some situations require immediate emergency services, regardless of whether we're available. Call 999 immediately if anyone experiences:

• Chest pain or severe shortness of breath
• Sudden weakness, numbness, or difficulty speaking
• Loss of consciousness or unresponsiveness
• Severe bleeding that won't stop with pressure
• Signs of serious allergic reaction (swelling of face, throat, or difficulty breathing)
• Suspected poisoning
• Severe burns covering large areas
• Major injuries from falls or accidents

When you call emergency services, stay calm and provide your exact location, a clear description of what happened, and follow the dispatcher's instructions carefully. If you're trained in first aid and it's safe to do so, provide basic care while waiting for help to arrive.

The Good News: We're Here When Others Aren't

Here's what sets us apart during the holiday season: you don't have to navigate health concerns alone. While other practices close their doors, our experienced GPs remain available for same-day appointments through telephone, video, or in-person home visits across London.

Our holiday availability includes:

• Same-day appointments for urgent concerns
• Telephone support for immediate guidance
• Video appointments from the comfort of your home
• London home visits when you need face-to-face care
• Extended hours: 8am-9pm, every single day

Whether it's a child's persistent fever, an elderly relative's concerning symptoms, or your own nagging health worry, we're here to provide professional assessment and peace of mind when you need it most.

Common Holiday Health Situations We See

Kitchen Injuries and Burns

Holiday cooking brings increased risk of cuts, burns, and kitchen accidents. For minor burns, immediately run cool water over the affected area for at least twenty minutes: never use ice, which can damage tissue. Clean cuts thoroughly and apply pressure with a clean cloth to control bleeding.

If you're unsure about severity, call us. We can quickly assess whether home care is sufficient or if you need immediate medical attention.

Falls from Decorating

Putting up lights and decorations leads to more falls than you might expect. Use stable ladders, have someone spot you, and never rush. For suspected sprains, remember RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.

Worried about a small fracture or serious sprain? We can arrange a same-day assessment to determine if you need imaging or emergency care.

Holiday Stress and Mental Health

The season's pressures: financial strain, family tensions, social obligations: can trigger anxiety, depression, or panic attacks. These feelings are completely valid and more common than many realize.

We're here to listen and help. Sometimes talking through your concerns with a healthcare professional provides immediate relief and practical coping strategies.

Your Holiday First Aid Essentials

Keep these items easily accessible during holiday gatherings:

Basic Supplies:

• Various sized adhesive bandages
• Sterile gauze pads and medical tape
• Burn gel or cool compresses
• Elastic bandage for sprains
• Digital thermometer
• Disposable gloves
• Emergency contact list (including our number!)

Emergency Contacts to Keep Handy:

• Cornerstone GP Services: [Contact number]
• 999 for life-threatening emergencies
• 111 for urgent NHS advice
• Local pharmacy emergency number
• Trusted family contact

Regular medication users should ensure adequate supplies before the holidays, as pharmacy availability becomes limited.

When to Call Us vs. Emergency Services

Sometimes it's difficult to know whether a situation requires immediate emergency care or expert GP assessment. Here's our guidance:

Call 999 for:

• Life-threatening symptoms
• Major trauma or injuries
• Severe allergic reactions
• Suspected heart attack or stroke
• Uncontrolled bleeding

Call Cornerstone GP Services for:

• Persistent fever or illness concerns
• Minor injuries needing professional assessment
• Medication guidance or concerns
• Ongoing symptoms worsening gradually
• Mental health support
• Elderly relative health concerns
• Child health worries

We excel at determining urgency levels and can quickly direct you to appropriate care: whether that's immediate emergency services, our same-day assessment, or reassuring guidance for home management.

Special Considerations for Holiday Gatherings

Monitoring Elderly Relatives

Holiday excitement can mask concerning symptoms in older family members. Watch for confusion, increased fatigue, decreased appetite, or changes in mobility. These subtle signs sometimes indicate significant health issues requiring professional evaluation.

Managing Chronic Conditions

Holiday schedules often disrupt medication routines and dietary habits. If you manage diabetes, heart conditions, or other chronic illnesses, maintain regular monitoring and don't hesitate to seek guidance if numbers look unusual.

Children and Holiday Hazards

Beyond obvious choking hazards, consider button batteries in decorations, toxic plants, and the exhaustion that makes children more accident-prone. Trust parental instincts: if something feels wrong, professional assessment provides peace of mind.

Why We Stay Open: Our Commitment to You

We understand that health concerns don't pause for holidays. Family gatherings, travel, disrupted routines, and increased social pressure create unique healthcare needs during this season. Our decision to remain available reflects our commitment to providing continuous, accessible care when you need it most.

Whether you need immediate guidance about a child's fever at 8pm on Christmas Eve, professional assessment of a kitchen burn, or simply reassurance about concerning symptoms, we're here. Our same-day appointments ensure you don't spend precious holiday time worrying about health issues that could be quickly resolved with expert guidance.

Book with Confidence This Holiday Season

Don't let health worries overshadow your holiday celebrations. Knowing professional support is just a phone call away allows you to enjoy family time with greater peace of mind.

Visit our services page to book telephone, video, or home visit appointments throughout the holiday period. For immediate urgent concerns, call us directly: we're here to help you navigate any health situation with expertise, compassion, and convenience.

Your health and wellbeing remain our priority, especially during the holidays when accessible care matters most. We're grateful to serve you and your family during this special season, ensuring health concerns never have to spoil the moments that matter most.