NHS leaders have advised the best ways to contact the NHS if you get ill this Christmas.

It comes amid warnings hospitals are facing a “corridor care crisis” this festive season after a 90-fold increase in demand for beds. The NHS has released a short film titled “24 Hours Not In A&E” as part of a campaign to help people navigate their health concerns and avoid unnecessary visits to hospital.

GP Dr Ellie Cannon, who appears in the NHS England video, said: “Every winter, NHS services face a surge in demand, and this year is no different. Knowing where to get the care you need can make all the difference.

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“For example, it’s common for people to default to the 8am scramble for a GP appointment, or go to A&E, as it’s what feels most familiar – but there are many far more convenient and quicker ways to handle your health concern while you get on with your day.”

A Royal College of Nursing report shows how a collapse in community care in the last six years has meant more people turning up in hospital vying for a similar number of hospital beds. It cites NHS data showing that during the build up to winter in 2019 the number of people waiting more than 12 hours for a bed in A&E after a decision to admit stood at 1,281. In the same July to September period in 2025 some 116,141 patients endured such trolley waits.

During this period overnight hospital bed capacity in England increased just 2%, or by just 2,192 beds.

It comes after Health Secretary Wes Streeting warned people to stop turning up in A&Es with minor ailments like ingrowing toenail and blocked nose. He said: “This winter will be one of the busiest ever.”

NHS England has published a press release stating that the health service “is throwing open more doors to care than ever before - making it simpler and quicker for people to get the help they need”.

The NHS Pharmacy First scheme has given chemists the power to prescribe drugs for seven common ailments - sinusitis, sore throat, earache, impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women.Patients can visit a local pharmacy to receive advice and, if necessary, prescription-only treatment for these conditions without a GP appointment.

For the first time this winter, pharmacists will also be able to provide an emergency contraceptive pill and support people who have been newly prescribed antidepressants.

Virtually all GP practices in England are now allowing people to request appointments online. This means a doctor will triage the appointment requests and get back to you. They may direct you to another NHS centre or get you in for an urgent appointment.

For more serious cases, new urgent treatment centres have been opening across England including Plymouth, Lymington in Hampshire and Yeovil in recent weeks.

These centres are equipped to investigate, diagnose, and deal with many of the most common injuries and illnesses people attend A&E for and are open at least 12 hours a day, for both walk-ins and appointments booked via NHS 111.

The NHS App also allows patients to request appointments, check their health records, receive reminders and order repeat prescriptions.

Julian Redhead, NHS National Director of Urgent and Emergency Care, said: “This winter NHS staff are working hard to expand the number of routes into the NHS so patients can get fast and convenient care closer to them.

“Whether the services are online, over the phone or in-person, a variety of doorways to care are open across the NHS. So if you’re worried about your health – please come forward. As always, use A&E & 999 for life threatening conditions and serious injuries .

“For non-life-threatening care, call NHS 111 or use 111 online, which can direct you to the most appropriate place – whether that be your local pharmacy, a walk-in centre, or clinical self-help advice.

“By ensuring everyone is using the right service for them, more people will be seen faster in the most appropriate place and life-saving A&E services will be kept for those patients who need them most.”

By using NHS 111 patients can be set to an A&E or urgent care centre where there is more capacity and so shorter waits.

Dr Ellie Cannon added: “By using community pharmacies for minor illnesses, NHS 111 for urgent health needs or accessing online services like the NHS App or contacting your GP surgery through their website, it’s quicker and easier than ever to get the care you need this winter.”