Where to Get Healthcare Over the Holidays

Manx Care has highlighted the availability of health and care services over Christmas and New Year.

The health care provider is encouraging members of the public to consider which service is most appropriate to support their needs and to use these accordingly.

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) Monday to Friday, 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 and 5pm on weekdays, excluding weekends and Bank Holidays.

X-Rays will be available on Friday, December 27 and on Friday, January 3 between 11am until 4:30pm.

The Manx Emergency Doctor Service (MEDS)

The Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS) is available through Specsavers on Strand Street in Douglas. For their opening hours, please click here.

For any eye complaints outside of their Christmas opening times, please visit either the Manx Emergency Doctors Scheme (MEDS), 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 www.gov.im/dentists
• Information about Opticians can be found on https://www.gov.im/categories/health-and-wellbeing/opticians/

Patient Transfer

If you require urgent assistance outside of the Patient Transfer opening hours, please contact the Air Ambulance Service Co-Ordinator on +44 1624 650000.

Community Pharmacies 

Information about the Island’s Community Pharmacies can be found here.

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 116123 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 information can be found here. 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:

The team can also be contacted by phone on 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.

Vaccination Service/111 will be closed on the following dates: December 25, December 26, December 27 and January 1.

Normal service will resume at 9:30am on January 2.