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Over 750 Boots pharmacies open over the festive bank holidays to help patients access healthcare support

09 December 2025
News Healthcare
  • Selected Boots pharmacies* remain open to offer valuable healthcare support over the festive period 

  • Boots PrescriptionsPlus also offers a convenient way to manage repeat prescriptions during the busy festive season  

With most GP practices closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, over 750 Boots pharmacies will remain open to help provide essential healthcare over the Christmas period. 

Selected Boots pharmacies will be open on one or more of the festive bank holidays, so that patients can access medicines, valuable healthcare advice and a breadth of pharmacy services. Customers can check the opening times of their nearest Boots pharmacy on boots.com 

Claire Nevinson, Superintendent Pharmacist at Boots, said: “If you’re feeling under the weather or need access to healthcare over the festive holiday, our pharmacy teams are on hand to help. It’s quick and easy to get advice, diagnosis and treatment for common minor ailments from your Boots pharmacy team right on your local high street, with no appointment needed.  

“If you are on repeat prescriptions, it’s important to ensure that you have ordered your medication before the Christmas break. It’s easy to order and track delivery of prescriptions with Boots PrescriptionsPlus – just make sure you get your order in before 17 December to ensure you get your medicines in time for the festive period, especially if you are travelling.” 

Key healthcare services to help customers over the festive period available at Boots include: 

PrescriptionsPlus 

PrescriptionsPlus*** provides customers with a convenient way to access and manage NHS repeat prescriptions. With the week before Christmas being typically one of the busiest weeks for dispensing, Boots encourages people to order their repeat prescriptions as early as possible and by 17 December at the latest to help ensure they arrive before Christmas. 

By signing up to PrescriptionsPlus, customers can also access free home delivery in England and a tracking system that allows them to see the status of their prescription order at every stage of its journey alongside text message updates. Customers can easily sign up via boots.com. 

NHS Pharmacy First Service  

Under the NHS Pharmacy First Service, Boots pharmacies in England can also offer patients access to advice and prescription treatment for seven common conditions including sinusitis, sore throats, insect bites, earache in children, impetigo and urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women.      

Access to over-the-counter medication and healthcare advice 

Boots delivers over 180 healthcare services, both privately and on behalf of the NHS. There are also over 700 healthcare brands available in store and online, including symptom relief for seasonal illnesses including flu and common colds. Boots customers can also get healthcare products delivered directly to their home via boots.com on-demand, with home delivery available via Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat.  

Boots Online Doctor 

Boots Online Doctor**** provides access to advice and support, without the need for a GP appointment, for a range of healthcare services such as women’s health, sexual health and general health. Its clinical and customer service teams are available to provide patient care throughout the festive period, excluding Christmas Day and with a reduced service on New Year’s Day. 

*Trading hours may be limited. Trading hours may vary limited and subject to store location.   

** Supply of treatment is subject to a suitability assessment. In most stores in England only. Subject to availability and store opening hours. Charges may apply. 

*** Free delivery via Royal Mail is only available for patients registered with a GP in England. The option to collect in-store is available for all customers registered with a participating GP anywhere in the UK. Charges may apply for delivery from store. Subject to availability. Participating surgeries only. Prescription charges may apply. Sign up to the text messaging service is required. Tracking available when ordering via Boots.com. 

**** Access to treatment is subject to an online consultation with a clinician to assess suitability. Subject to availability. Charges apply. 

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About Boots: 

Boots is the UK’s leading health, wellness and beauty retailer with over 52,000 team members and over 1,800 stores, ranging from local community pharmacies to large destination health and beauty destinations.*  

Boots serves its customers and patients for life as the leading provider of healthcare on the high street and the UK’s number one beauty destination. It offers an unrivalled depth and breadth of products, which incorporates its extensive own brand range and innovative portfolio of brands, including No7, the UK’s No1 skincare brand, Soap & Glory, Liz Earle Beauty and Sleek MakeUP.    

*Figures accurate as of 31 May 2025