Take care call from NHS as temperatures drop ahead of New Year celebrations

Published on: 31 December 2025

North East Ambulance Service and NHS partners are urging the public to celebrate the New Year safely and responsibly to reduce pressure on healthcare services and protect vulnerable community members during cold weather.

Temperatures across the North East are forecast to fall significantly this week, prompting the Met Office to issue a cold health alert. Read more here: Cold Health Alert issued into New Year as low temperatures are forecast

This alert started from 8pm on 28 December and will run until 12pm on 5 January. It highlights the increased risk that cold weather poses to vulnerable members of our communities.

Head of emergency, preparedness, resilience and response (EPRR) at North East Ambulance Service, Stuart Holliday said:

"This time of year can be challenging for a lot of people, but support is available.

"We want everyone to enjoy ringing in the New Year but we also urge the public to please think before picking up the phone to 999 or 111 and think about other services first including 111 online, urgent treatment centres, mental health services, pharmacies and GP when they are open."

To look after yourself and support healthcare services during this busy period, the public is encouraged to:

Celebrate responsibly and know your limits
Stay with friends and avoid walking home alone
Remember your keys, phone and have plans to get home.
Don’t drink and drive
Prepare for bad weather
Avoid risky behaviour and confrontations
Use NHS 111 for non-life-threatening issues
Access mental health support if you’re struggling
Make sure your medicine cabinets are fully stocked
Check in on friends, family and neighbours
Call 999 in the event of a life-threatening emergency

Stuart added:

"We would always advise someone who thinks their condition is life threatening to call us but please think before you pick up the phone - do you really need an ambulance or is there another way of you getting help? 

"We also ask that anyone waiting for an ambulance please only call back if their condition worsens or to cancel if it is no longer required. Delays can bring harm to patients so it’s important that we take every measure we can to reduce them.

"During this period, it is especially important for everyone to take extra care, check in on friends, family, and neighbours, and ensure that homes are kept warm and well-stocked with essential supplies.

"Please ensure your medicine cabinet is stocked up with any regular medication you require as well as essentials like a first aid kit, thermometer, paracetamol, ibuprofen, antihistamines and plasters.

"Anyone needing urgent mental health support should ring 111 press 2. There is a wide range of confidential, trusted mental health support available including texting services, wellbeing hubs and much more."

More details on mental health support and services can be found here: Eight free ways to get mental health and wellbeing support this Christmas

Across the New Year weekend, the Safe Haven van in partnership with Northumbria Police will also be in operation in Newcastle City Centre as well as Medicar in Cleveland which is supported by Cleveland Police and the alcohol reception centre at the Bigg Market in Newcastle. 

Top tips for the New Year include: 

Remain in control – don’t drink too much alcohol to avoid trips, falls and alcohol poisoning   
Keep an eye on each other – drink spiking is a real threat so watch each other’s drinks  
Be prepared for common health problems by keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home and making sure that you have enough prescription medication to last over the holiday period. 
Community pharmacists are excellent at giving a lot of advice about self-care and medications they can offer you to treat your condition at home. 
Health advice and information is available via the NHS App or the NHS website, or from your local GP practice website which links to a range of online services, and, in most cases, you can order repeat prescriptions online. 
For children’s health advice you can visit the Healthier Together website www.nenc-healthiertogether.nhs.uk, which covers a wide range of illnesses in children from common minor ailments including teething, constipation and colds, through to more serious conditions. 
If you, or someone you know, are in a mental health crisis and need urgent support, you can now call NHS 111 and select the mental health option. 
If you do suffer a minor injury or illness, NHS 111 online and on the phone is a great place to see advice and can help you reach the right place for your care.

If you require emergency care, you should call 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department. You should ONLY go to an Emergency Department if you or someone else has a life-threatening emergency, such as: 