Christmas in London 2022: GP and walk-in centre Christmas opening times in London

It’s a few short sleeps until Christmas Day 2022 in London, and with talk of changes to bin collections, pharmacy opening times and the traditional Boxing Day shopping centre sojourn, the question of personal health might just crop up.

This year,  the Christmas and New Year’s bank holidays coupled with the ongoing “twindemic” and rising cases of Strep A, begs the question, what happens if you or a loved one is ill over the festive period?

The majority of GPs and walk-in centres in London will remain closed over Boxing Day and December 27 (Christmas Day observed), with doors opening once again from December 28. This means this final week leading into Christmas will be the only time a full week of appointments may be available. NHS London, aware of the double impact of Covid 19 and seasonal flu,, have already confirmed they will open pop-up vaccination centres ahead of Christmas Day in the capital.

There are a few that are opening their doors on Boxing Day though, and you can check if your local GP is one of them by visiting the NHS’s “Find a GP” page on their website. The website will also inform you if the GP in question is taking on new patients, in the event you’ve not signed up to a GP in London yet.

For those wishing to get their prescriptions before the short week between Christmas Day and New Years Day, consult with a GP in advance or, if using an app such as Lloyds Direct, make an order if you are running low now to avoid any potential delays due to ongoing industrial action.