Manx Care is urging the public to consider which health and care services over Christmas and the new year support their needs and use these accordingly.

It is also asking them to follow the latest government advice on frequent lateral flow testing and the use of face coverings.

The service has highlighted the availability of health and care services over the next few weeks and reminded people that Christmas and the new year will be ’busy periods’ so planning head and having basic self-care medication at home, for example painkillers, plasters and indigestion remedies, is ’a good idea’.

Local community pharmacists are a great source of advice and support for health and care needs.

Manx Care has issued a list of health and care services and when they are open over the festive period.

Noble’s Hospital Emergency Department will remain open but Manx Care is encouraging people to consider whether their condition is an emergency and requires treatment or whether an alternative service may be able to support their needs.

The Minor Injuries and Illness Unit at Ramsey District Cottage Hospital will be open from 8am to 8pm every day, including ocer Christmas, new year and all bank holidays.

The Covid-19 PCR testing centre at the Grandstand will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, with appointments for travel pathways only on Boxing Day.

Availability for the Manx Emergency Doctor Service (MEDS) will be 6pm on December 24 through to 8am on December 29. It will also operate 6pm on December 31 to 8am on January 4.

GP services will be covered by MEDS and on the bank holidays emergency dental cover will be provided through the emergency dental rota.

To find out about community pharmacy opening times, go to the government website.

For mental health support, Manx Care recognises this can be an ’overwhelming’ time of the year so 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 a mental health crisis that needs a rapid response.

The Crisis Response Home Treatment team are contactable on 686860 but medical emergencies should be directed to 999.

Anyone going through cancer treatment or needing support from Macmillan’s Cancer Information and Support Service (MCISS) at Noble’s Hospital should be aware from December 24 to January 3, excluding weekends and bank holidays, it’s available on the phone via 650735 but there will be no face-to-face service.

Macmillan’s national support line is also open every day between 08:00 and 20:00 and is available on 0808 808 00 00.

This information will be shared across Manx Care’s social media channels and on the government’s website.