Pharmacy opening hours Christmas 2025

Pharmacy opening hours Christmas 2025

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Pharmacies open in Northumberland over the Christmas and New Year Bank Holidays

Over the Christmas and New Year bank holidays, some pharmacies will be closed. Below is a list of Northumberland pharmacies which are open. You may want to call the pharmacy before attending to check the opening hours haven’t changed.

For out of hours advice contact NHS 111.

Allendale Pharmacy 3 Shield Street, Allendale, NE47 9BP. Phone: 01434 683 274. Open 2pm-5pm Boxing Day, closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Alnwick Boots 50-52 Bondgate Within, Alnwick, NE66 1JD. Phone: 01665 602 143. Open 2pm-5pm Boxing Day, closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Ashington Asda Pharmacy Lintonville Terrace, Ashington, NE63 9XG. Phone: 01670 528 610. Open 10am-4pm Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, closed Christmas Day.

Ashington Crescent Pharmacy 110 Alexandra Road, Ashington, NE63 9LU. Phone: 01670 858 959. Open 10am-1pm Christmas Day and 10am-2pm Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Ashington Pharmacy Lintonville Terrace, Ashington, NE63 9UN. Phone: 01670 528 610. Open 2pm-5pm Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, closed Christmas Day.

Bedlington Front Street Pharmacy 28 Front Street, Bedlington, NE22 5UB. Phone: 01670 822 297. Open 2pm-5pm Boxing Day. Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Blyth Asda Pharmacy Cowpen Road, Blyth, NE24 4LZ. Phone: 01670 542 710. Open 10am-4pm Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, closed Christmas Day.

Blyth Boots 60-62 Maddison Street, Blyth, NE24 1EY. Phone: 01670 546 092. Open 10am-1pm Christmas Day, closed Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Berwick Pharmacy 4-6 Castlegate, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1JS. Phone: 01289 307 387. Open 2pm-5pm Christmas Day, closed Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Cramlington Northumbria Way Pharmacy Health Hub, Northumbria Way, Cramlington, NE23 6NZ. Phone: 01670 222 256. Open 2pm-5pm New Year’s Day, closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Hexham Boots 7 Fore Street, Hexham, NE46 1LU. Phone: 01434 602 024. Open 2pm-5pm New Year’s Day, closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Morpeth Health Hut Pharmacy 2 Abbey Meadows, Kirkhall, Morpeth, NE61 2BD. Phone 01670 510 510. Open 2pm-5pm Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Seahouses Chemist 32 Main Street, Seahouses, NE68 7RQ. Phone: 01665 720 228. Open 10am-1pm New Year’s Day, closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Seaton Delaval Cohens Chemist 21 Avenue Road, Seaton Delaval, NE25 0DS. Phone: 0191 237 1813. Open 2pm-5pm New Year’s Day, closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Wylam Pharmacy Main Street, Wylam, NE41 8AB. Phone: 01661 852 253. Open 2pm-5pm Christmas Day, closed Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

 

Your feedback October 2025

Your feedback October 2025

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Your NHS and social care feedback October 2025

Top issues

This month we heard mixed feedback about GP services with a few people saying the appointment booking process had improved. We also heard about long waiting times for audiology appointments and long distances to travel to hospital outpatients appointments.

This month’s focus

This month we were out and about at our Hear to Hear events in Alnwick, Hexham, Morpeth, Seaton Valley, Prudhoe, Blyth and Cramlington. We also attended Hexham Mart, Thriving Together’s information sharing event in Ashington and had a table at the Young at Heart event in Blyth.

We hosted a ‘Mind the Gap’ session organised by Northumberland Health and Wellbeing VSCE Network, around farmers’ mental health.

Our online session was from Northumberland Talking Therapies, Tyneside and Northumberland MIND, and Northumberland Recovery College on ‘prioritising mental health in the workplace’, in support of World Mental Health Day. The session included a guided reflection and tips for dealing with stress. This was our second highest attended online event of this year.

Our ‘Pharmacy First’ project took place throughout October, with the aim of finding out people’s awareness and experience of the scheme. The results of this will be published in November.

Positive feedback example

A patient left positive feedback about their GP surgery.

“I get fantastic treatment at my GP surgery. It doesn’t matter whether it’s the receptionists, the practice nurses, the GPs or recently a trainee GP, they are all knowledgeable, approachable, thorough and very, very caring. I don’t think anyone can ask for more.”

Ashington and Blyth resident

Negative feedback example

A patient asked for a simple audiology appointment as her hearing aids are whistling. There are no obvious signs of what’s wrong but the person is very social and relies on the hearing aids. They have been told it’s at least 13 weeks wait for an appointment.

Cramlington, Bedlington and Seaton Valley resident

Impact

A person asked us for support at our Hexham General Hospital Here to Hear event in June 2025. They wanted help to find a missing hospital appointment letter and scan result on the NHS App. Their GP had received the letter but it wasn’t showing on the App.

We confirmed the details were not there and advised them to contact the consultant’s secretary or PALS for support to get the information uploaded onto the App, or speak to GP reception.

This month we received an update. The patient had followed our advice and contacted PALS, who had carried out an investigation.

The outcome was that the letter and scan result were added to their health record on the NHS App and they had an apology from the department concerned.

Information and Signposting Service

We were able to help people find the information they need on a range of issues and services, including counselling for young people, audiology, carers’ rights and cancer support groups.

Read more in our feedback summary for October 2025.

Update on gluten-free prescriptions

Update on gluten-free prescriptions

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Update on gluten-free prescriptions in the North East and North Cumbria

Following a six-week public involvement period earlier this year, the Integrated Care Board (ICB) in our area has agreed to change how gluten-free foods are prescribed.

From 1 March 2026, gluten-free bread and flour mix will continue to be available on NHS prescription for young people aged under 25. Prescribing for adults aged 25 and over will no longer continue after this date.

This decision balances the need to use limited NHS resources fairly and effectively while taking steps to protect vulnerable patients. The decision to continue supporting children and young people recognises the challenges of adapting to a gluten-free diet following a coeliac disease diagnosis, as well as the wider impact of child poverty in our region.

When gluten-free products were first introduced to the NHS in the 1960s, there were very few suitable alternatives available. Today, gluten-free products are widely available in supermarkets, online and in local shops, with clear labelling to support safe dietary choices. As the NHS now cares for more people with complex and long-term health conditions, it needs to make sure funding delivers the greatest benefit for everyone.

Read more on the ICB website

Free event – Tyneside and Northumberland Mind

Free event – Tyneside and Northumberland Mind

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Join us on Friday 12 December for our next free online event where we will hear from Steph Golder from Tyneside and Northumberland Mind. Learn about the range of mental health and wellbeing support services in Northumberland and how to access them.

We will find out more about the general support services available to all and their specialist support services for victims of crime, and those who have been affected by a traumatic bereavement.

There will be a chance to ask questions after the presentation.

This event has now passed

Sign up to our newsletter to hear about future events or catch up with previous events on our online events page.

Carers Rights Day 2025

Carers Rights Day 2025

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Carers Rights Day is on Thursday 20 November 2025. This year’s theme is ‘know your rights, use your rights’.

Every day, 12,000 people become unpaid carers for a partner, family member or a friend – many of whom don’t see themselves as carers, often unaware of their legal rights and what they’re entitled to in terms of support and benefits.

Carers Rights Day is about raising awareness of the rights the UK’s 5.8 million unpaid carers are entitled to, and to help them get the support they need and the recognition they deserve.

We’ll be at the Carers Northumberland Carers Rights Day information event on Thursday 20 November, 1.30pm to 4pm, at Berwick Sports and Leisure Centre. Come along to find out more about your rights as a carer and how to get support for you or the person you care for.

You can also get involved by sharing your story of being an unpaid carer, raising awareness or holding your own event. Find out more at Carers UK.

If you would like to tell us about your experience of health or social care services as a carer or would like information about local services and support please get in touch.

Free event – The ME Association

Free event – The ME Association

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Join us on Friday 14 November at 1pm to hear from Dr Katrina Pears, Research Coordinator for The ME Association, about the latest research into Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long Covid. Her overview will draw on the evidence-based NICE Guideline, expert medical opinion, and findings from research into the underlying disease mechanisms.

The ME Association provides effective support and expert information, lobbies local and national governments and is working to improve healthcare for all. It prioritises prudent investment in medical research in the hope that one day there will be effective treatments and even a cure.

Since the pandemic, the charity has been welcoming people with Long Covid due to the many similarities with ME/CFS.

This event is suitable for the general public and professionals. There will also be a chance to ask questions.

This event has now passed.

Sign up to our newsletter to hear about future events or catch up with previous events on our online events page.

Your feedback September 2025

Your feedback September 2025

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Your NHS and social care feedback September 2025

Top issues

This month we heard about issues with GP services including difficulties getting an appointment and digital exclusion. We also heard about the distance patients had to travel to get to hospital outpatients appointments and difficulties getting an appointment with an NHS dentist.

This month’s focus

The main focus was on delivering our Annual Event in Hexham. 80 people joined us to hear about local services and our review of the year.

We’ve been out and about with our Hear to Hear events in Bedlington, at Hexham General Hospital, Morpeth Library, Seahouses Hub and Newbiggin. We attended Thriving Together’s information events in Amble and Haltwhistle, a Northumberland County of Sanctuary session at Ashington, the Meet and Eat session in Allendale and we also heard from adults with learning disabilities at Journey Enterprises in Acomb.

We launched our Pharmacy First work, and started analysing results of the ‘Taking a Break’ carers project.

For the Persistent Physical Symptoms project, we held the second Patient Participation Governance group meeting and gave a promotional talk to Blyth Rotary club.

Our online talk this month was from Age UK Northumberland. The subject was Scams Awareness and the event was well attended.

Positive feedback example

A patient left positive feedback about their endoscopy appointment at Hexham General Hospital.

“A very positive experience from entering the department to leaving. The reception was very welcoming, the waiting area was comfortable and clean. The initial assessment was slightly rushed in a small room but still allowed time for questions etc. I cannot thank Dr Lee and the endoscopy staff in the room enough. I was very stressed about the procedure but I was talked through it and it was over before I knew it. Recovery was swift and I was given a print out of findings. The staff contacted my husband to collect me. Excellent, professional and patient centred care. All credit to the team.”

Tynedale resident

Negative feedback example

“Whilst I feel digital is great for those that can use it, I am concerned that older people are feeling pushed into using digital services. Many who are much older have never used smartphones, or even computers, so patients still need to have choice of how to access GPs. Surgeries should consider the demographics of an area when deciding on patient access.”

North Northumberland resident

Impact

We received positive feedback on our Annual Event. “Pharmacy First presentation was very informative. Useful to hear about service I was unaware of such as the 111 emergency prescription service. More local publicity definitely needed for Pharmacy First. Direct Payment session also very clear and helpful.”

Information and Signposting Service

We were able to help people find the information they need on a range of issues and services, including NHS complaints, mental health support, finding an NHS dentist and hearing aid repair.

Read more in our feedback summary for September 2025.

Have your say on Pharmacy First

Have your say on Pharmacy First

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We’d like to hear your views on the Pharmacy First service. By sharing your feedback, you’ll help us to understand people’s awareness of the scheme, and any concerns or suggestions you may have.

Pharmacy First, which was launched in January 2024, enables community pharmacies to provide treatment for seven common conditions without patients needing to see a GP. These are earache, impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles, sinusitis, sore throat and urinary tract infections (UTIs) for women aged 16-64. Pharmacists can also provide an urgent repeat medicine supply.

Please leave your feedback by Sunday 9 November.

Have your say online or call us on 03332 408468 to leave feedback over the phone or to ask for a paper copy in the post.

This survey has now closed.

 

World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day

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To celebrate World Mental Health Day, we were joined by Tyneside and Northumberland Mind, Northumberland Talking Therapies and Northumberland Recovery College to talk about mental health in the workplace.

First of all, Emmalene Charlton from Tyneside and Northumberland Mind gave us an overview of what stress is and some ways we can help manage it.

Then we heard from Sarah Coles from Northumberland Talking Therapies for some tips and techniques to help manage stress.

Finally, we enjoyed a guided imagery meditation from Northumberland Recovery College.

Catch up on the recordings from the event on our online events page.

Find support

Tyneside and Northumberland Mind – call 0330 174 3174 or email admin@tynesidemind.org.uk

Northumberland Talking Therapies – call 0300 3030 700

Northumberland Recovery College – call 07866 053717 or email: nrc@everyturn.org

Free event – World Mental Health Day

Free event – World Mental Health Day

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Join us for a free online event on World Mental Health Day (Friday 10 October, 1pm-2.30pm) to talk about mental health with a focus on wellbeing in the workplace.

We will hear from Tyneside and Northumberland Mind, NHS Northumberland Talking Therapies and Northumberland Recovery College about common sources of stress in the workplace and tips and techniques to promote better mental health.

We will also have the chance to take part in a guided imagery exercise to help manage stress and anxiety. There will be time to ask questions.

The theme of this year’s mental health day is access to services. We will also share some details of mental health services, information and resources where people can get support.

Please note this session is not intended to give individual clinical advice. To improve comfort and confidentiality all attendees will have their cameras off and microphones muted, and active participation is not required.

This event has now passed.

Sign up to our newsletter to hear about future events or catch up with previous events on our online events page.