Manx Care is urging the public to plan ahead and understand where to go for the right health and care support over the festive period.
Christmas and New Year are busy times for services, so keeping essential medicines at home and choosing the appropriate service will help ensure you receive timely care.
The health care provider has issued the following which will signpost you to where to go if you fall ill over the festive period:
Emergency and Urgent Care
Emergency Department at Noble’s Hospital
Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please use only for serious or life‑threatening emergencies.
Minor Injuries and Illnesses Unit based at Noble’s Hospital
Open 8am to 8pm daily (last admission 7:30pm), including all Bank Holidays.
AATU (Ambulatory Assessment Treatment Unit) at Noble’s Hospital
Open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday.
Open 8am – 12pm Saturday and Sunday.
AATU will also be open on December 25, 26 and January 1 from 9am – 4pm.
Please note: AATU is not a walk in service. Referrals must be made by a healthcare practitioner (e.g. GP, MEDS, Emergency Department, Ambulance Service, or inpatient/outpatient teams).
Manx Emergency Doctor Service (MEDS)
- December 22 – 24: 6pm – 12am
- December 25 – 28: 00:00 – 00:00
- December 29 – 31: 6pm – 12am
- January 1: 00:00 – 00:00
- January 2: 6pm – 12am
- January 3 and 4: 00:00 – 00:00
- January 5: 6pm – 12am
For eye issues outside optician opening hours, please attend MEDS, the Minor Injuries and Illnesses Unit, or the Emergency Department.
GP practices will be covered by MEDS on all Bank Holidays.
Emergency dental cover is available through the Island’s dental rota: www.gov.im/dentists
Patient Transfer Service
Office hours over the festive period:
- December 22 – 23: 9am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm
- December 24: 9am – 1pm and 2pm – 4pm
- December 25 – 26: CLOSED
- December 27 – 28: Emergency only via Air Ambulance Co-ordinator (+44 1624 650000)
- December 29 – 30: 9am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm
- December 31: 9am – 1pm and 2pm – 4pm
- January 1: CLOSED
- January 2: 9am – 1pm and 2pm – 4pm
For urgent assistance outside opening hours, contact the Air Ambulance Service Co-ordinator on +44 1624 650000.
Community Pharmacies
Community Pharmacists can provide advice and, through the Minor Ailments Scheme, treatment for a range of common conditions. More information is available at: https://www.gov.im/categories/health-and-wellbeing/pharmacy-services/minor-ailments-scheme/
Pharmacy rota details:
https://www.gov.im/categories/health-and-wellbeing/pharmacy-services/pharmacy-rota/
Mental Health Support
Manx Care recognises that the festive period can be difficult for some and support is always available.
- Samaritans: 116 123 (24/7)
- Crisis Response and Home Treatment Team:
https://www.gov.im/categories/caring-and-support/mental-health-service/manannan-court-acute-services/crisis-response-and-home-treatment-team/
For medical emergencies or immediate risk, call 999.
Cancer Support
Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Service (MCISS) hours:
- December 22 – 24 : 9:30am – 2:30pm
- December 25 – 26: Closed
- December 29 – 31: 9:30am – 2:30pm
- January 1: Closed
- January 2: 9:30am – 2:30pm
Contact:
- Phone: +44 1624 650735
- Email: MCISS@gov.im (monitored during opening hours)
Macmillan UK Support Line: 0808 808 00 00 (8:00am – 8:00pm daily)
Other Services
- Vaccination Service +44 1624 82211 / 111: Closed December 24 – 26 and December 31- January 2. Reopens January 5 at 9:30am.
- Wellbeing Partnerships: Close 4pm on December 24, reopen December 29, close again 4pm on December 31, normal hours from January 5.
- Older Persons Day Centres: Closed December 25 – 26 and January 1.
- Breastfeeding Buddies: No sessions on December 25 or January 1. Call the Infant Feeding Team for support: +44 1624 811837.
- Diabetes Centre: Closed December 24 – 26 and December 31 – January 2; reopens January 5.
