Most non-critical services will be closed from 4pm on Wednesday 31 December 2025 and will reopen at 9am on Friday 2 January 2026.
Throughout the Christmas and New Year period you can continue to make applications, report issues and make payments online but please be aware that these may not be processed until we reopen.
What to do in an emergency
An emergency is something which has developed suddenly and perhaps unexpectedly. It needs to be dealt with urgently and cannot be safely left until the following working day.
Go to information and advice about emergencies
Cost of living support and advice
If you're struggling with the cost of living, then you're not on your own and support and advice is available – Cost of Living - help when you need it.
Health and wellbeing services
Flu
It’s not too late to protect yourself and your family against flu. For information on flu vaccinations go to www.nhs.uk.
Pharmacies
Pharmacy opening hours on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Other pharmacies may be open but have not notified NHS Greater Manchester.
Search: Greater Manchester Christmas pharmacy opening times.
Choosing the right service for your health needs
Accessing the right NHS service for your health need is the best way of getting the care you need, as quickly as possible.
If you are unsure where you should go, please contact NHS 111 via phone or online at 111.nhs.uk where you will be directed to the right service.
Alternatively please visit Get to know where to go | Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership for more information on choosing the right service for you.
Urgent and Emergency Care
Our Emergency Department is designed to support those patients that need help the most, for life threatening emergencies or serious injuries.
For urgent medical help when it is not a life-threatening emergency, our Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC), also based at Royal Bolton Hospital, is there to help. To book an appointment – please contact NHS 111 via phone or online at 111.nhs.uk.
Our UTC is open 7am – 2am every day. Please arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment. If you need to change or cancel your appointment, please call 01204 390300 to speak to our team.
Mental health and wellbeing support
The festive period can be a very hard time for many of us, but please know you are not alone. There are several services that can provide help and support with both your physical and emotional wellbeing and provide positive steps to help look after yourself.
Find support available for adults and young people - Wellbeing hub.
Bin collections
Find out the dates of your Christmas and New Year bin collections and what to do if your bin collection has been missed or delayed.
Get advice on what to do with your bins and household waste over Christmas and New Year, including what can and cannot be recycled.
Winter Service (gritting)
Our Winter Service team will be on standby right the way through the festive period. They will be monitoring the weather forecast and gritting all the roads and streets on our gritting routes when road temperatures are forecast to drop below freezing.
Rough sleeping
Bolton Council’s rough sleeping team are on hand to help if anyone sees someone they believe to be rough sleeping this Christmas.
A description of the person and their specific location can be shared anonymously by email on housingoutreachteam@bolton.gov.uk or by phoning the Housing Options Services on 01204 335 900.