The arrangements for urgent and emergency care services over the Christmas and New Year holiday period within the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust are as follows:
Ulster Hospital Emergency Department
The Ulster Hospital Emergency Department is open as normal throughout the Christmas and New Year holiday period. The Department is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Ulster Hospital Urgent Care Centre
The Urgent Care Centre in the Ulster Hospital is a walk-in service and will be open as normal on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years’ Day from 8.00 am – 6.00 pm. Please note there will be no ‘Phone First’ Service during these three days.
Lagan Valley Hospital Urgent Care Centre
The ‘Phone First’ Urgent Care Centre in the Lagan Valley Hospital will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day and will reopen on Monday 29 December 2025 from 8.00 am – 6.00 pm. The Urgent Care Centre will be open on News Years’ Day from 8.00 am – 6.00 pm.
Patients should call (028) 9260 4643 before attending. Patients will be assessed over the phone and offered an appointment at Lagan Valley Hospital Urgent Care Centre or referred to a local pharmacy, GP or directed to an appropriate Emergency Department.
Downe Hospital Urgent Care Centre
The ‘Phone First’ Urgent Care Centre in the Downe Hospital will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day New Years’ Day. It will be open on all other weekdays from 8.00 am – 6.00 pm. Patients should call (028) 4483 8091 before attending.
Patients will be assessed over the phone and offered an appointment at the Downe Hospital Urgent Care Centre or referred to a local pharmacy, GP or directed to an appropriate Emergency Department.
Downe Hospital Minor Injuries Unit
The ‘Phone First’ weekend Minor Injuries Unit in the Downe Hospital will be open as normal on Saturday 27 December 2025 and Sunday 28 December 2025. Patients should call (028) 4483 8091 before attending. Patients will be assessed over the phone and offered an appointment at the Downe Hospital Urgent Care Centre or referred to a local pharmacy, GP or directed to an appropriate Emergency Department.
GP Out of Hours
GP Out of Hours is for urgent medical care when your GP surgery is closed. The contact details are as follows:
North Down & Ards area (028) 9182 2344
Down & Lisburn area (028) 9260 2204