Urgent care and pharmacy opening times in Sunderland - where can you get help over New Year?

With services likely to be stretched, health bosses are urging patients not to waste precious resources.

Helen Ray, Chief Executive of North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust and Co-Chair of the North East and North Cumbria Urgent and Emergency Care Network, said: “We really want people to think about how they are using our precious NHS resources.

What can I do to help?

Visit www.111.nhs.uk or call 111 for urgent medical advice before turning up to any frontline services.

Don’t call an ambulance or attend accident and emergency departments or urgent care centres unless you have to.

Extra GP appointments will be available on evenings, weekends and bank holidays. Contact your surgery for help.

Many common winter illnesses can be safely treated with over the counter medication and advice from a pharmacist. See below for which pharmacies are open on New Year’s Day and when.

What if I DO need emergency treatment?

Call 999 as usual in the event of a genuine emergency if you need an ambulance.

If the patient is mobile, Sunderland Royal Hospital, Gateshead’s Queen Elizabeth and University Hospital of North Durham's accident and emergency departments will be open around the clock.

What if I need urgent – but not emergency – treatment?

The Urgent care centre at Pallion Health Centre and the South Tyneside Urgent Care Hub in Harton Lane will be open between 8am and 10pm on New Year’s Day.

Peterlee Community Hospital's urgent care centre in O'Neill Drive will be open all day.

Which pharmacies are available and when on New Year’s Day in and around Sunderland?

Asda Leechmere Road Industrial Estate, 10am-5pm.

Leema Pharmacy, Tunstall Road, 10am-noon.

Lloyds, Sea Road, Fulwell, 8pm-10pm.

Redhouse Pharmacy, Renfrew Road, 4pm-6pm.

Lloyds, Sainsburys Silksworth Lane, 9am-5pm.

Asda, The Galleries, Washington, 10am-5pm.

Houghton Pharmacy, Queensway, Houghton, 2pm-4pm.

Lloyds, Sainsburys Riverside Road, 9am-5pm.

Superdrug, Front Street, Chester-Le-Street, 2pm-4pm.

Asda, Surtees Road, Peterlee, 10am-5pm.

Asda, Byron Place, Seaham, 10am-5pm.

J and J Pharmacy, West Grove, Westlea Estate, Seaham, 6pm-8pm.