The Department of Health has published details of opening hours for its offices and services for the Christmas and New Year period, along with details of the emergency and urgent services that are available outside of normal working hours. Minister for Health, David Anderson MHK said: “Whilst Christmas and New Year is a holiday period for many, the Department of Health continues to provide key services over the public holidays, ensuring that those who require emergency care can receive it, no matter the hour, no matter the day.” The Department of Health operates a range of services outside of normal working hours year round, to provide the public with access to urgent and emergency care. The Department has been working to highlight appropriate use of health services, including out of hours provision, over the past several months as part of its ongoing ‘Choose Well’ campaign. Lesley Keenan, Deputy Chief Executive for the Department of Health said: “It can sometimes be confusing for the public to know which services are available over the festive period or which is the most appropriate for their need. That’s why we publish details and issue this reminder. Whilst many areas of the health service that deal with routine and non-urgent work close down at weekends and public holidays, critical services must of course remain ready for every eventuality. “Some members of the public may be surprised to learn of the variety of out of hours services available. 999 is for life threatening emergencies such as choking, chest pains, blood loss, or when someone has stopped breathing. To ensure that our ambulance service isn’t overwhelmed with calls for non-life-threatening but nonetheless urgent care, the Department also operates an out-of-hours GP service, MEDS; a Minor Injuries Unit at Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital and there’s Accident and Emergency at Noble’s Hospital. It’s about ensuring appropriate use so that when we do need to respond to a life threatening emergency our paramedics and staff in Accident and Emergency have the capacity to deal with this. All we ask is that people think about which service to use, based on their symptoms.” During the festive season’s public holidays, the following services are available for urgent and emergency care: • Paramedic and Ambulance Service for life threatening emergencies: dial 999 • Accident and Emergency at Noble’s Hospital: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on a drop-in basis, telephone 650040 • Minor Injuries Unit at Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital: 8am – 8pm every day on a drop-in basis, telephone 811800 • Manx Emergency Doctor Service (MEDS): 24 hours a day during weekend and public holidays and 6pm – 8am on working days; the public should telephone their GP Surgery as usual and listen to the recorded message • Emergency Dental Clinic: 10am – 11am on Christmas Day and 9am – 11am on other public holidays and weekends, telephone 480365. David Anderson added: “I’d like to thank all of our dedicated staff who will be working over the festive period and I’d like to wish everyone a happy Christmas and a healthy and peaceful New Year.” - ENDS -