There’s a particular kind of relief that comes with switching off for the holidays. The out-of-office goes on, the to-do list gets shelved, and for a little while, the only real decision is beach or pool. It’s one of the best feelings of the year.
But that relief is a lot easier to enjoy when you’ve tied off a few loose ends first, and your health is one of the easiest things to forget in the rush to finish up. A handful of small, simple steps before you down tools can save you a frustrating scramble later, when the practice is closed, the pharmacy is on reduced hours, and the last thing you want to think about is a health admin problem. Here’s a straightforward checklist to run through before you properly switch off.
Check Your Repeat Prescriptions
If you only do one thing on this list, make it this one. Running out of a regular medication over the holidays is one of the most common, and most avoidable, problems we see at this time of year.
Take a couple of minutes to look at every regular medication you take and count how many repeats you have left. Then ask yourself a simple question: will this comfortably last me through the break and the week or two after, when things are still settling back to normal? If the answer is no, or even “probably,” sort it now rather than later.
At FTMC Group, you can submit a Routine Request through HotDoc to your regular GP, who will review it and let you know if a quick appointment is needed. Just remember these requests take a little time to process and aren’t guaranteed on the spot, so the earlier you get them in ahead of the Christmas rush, the smoother it’ll be. While you’re at it, check your pharmacy’s holiday trading hours so you know when you can actually pick everything up.
Heading away? Pack enough medication for the whole trip plus a few spare days in case your plans shift, keep it in your carry-on if you’re flying, and jot down a list of what you take in case you need to see a doctor while you’re travelling.
Make Sure We Can Reach You
This one takes thirty seconds and quietly prevents a lot of problems. Before the break, check that your contact details are up to date with us, especially your mobile number.
Why does it matter? Because if you’ve had a test done recently, or you’re waiting on a result or a follow-up, we need to be able to reach you. Over the holidays, with practices closed on public holidays and everyone’s routines out the window, a message that can’t get through to you is a message that waits. If your number or email has changed and we don’t have the latest, an important follow-up could sit unseen for weeks.
If you’re expecting results from a recent test, it’s worth asking your GP before the break exactly how and when you’ll hear, so you’re not left wondering over the holidays or assuming no news is good news when it might not be.
Tie Off Referrals and Reviews
If you have a specialist referral about to expire, or a care plan due for review, now is the moment to deal with it rather than in January. Specialist waiting lists tend to blow out in the new year as everyone returns from the break at the same time, so getting your referral sorted before the holidays can save you weeks of delay.
The same goes for anyone managing an ongoing condition. If your diabetes, blood pressure, asthma or other regular review is coming up, booking it in before the holidays means you start the year ahead rather than catching up. A quick appointment now can make sure your management plan is current and you’ve got everything you need to stay well through the break.
Know Where to Go If Something Comes Up
Even the best-laid plans can’t rule out the unexpected, so it helps to know your options before you need them. Keep these somewhere handy, like a note in your phone:
For non-urgent matters when your usual practice is closed, our after-hours line can connect you with an on-call GP. Call (02) 6555 0444 and your call will be transferred. Please note fees apply for after-hours consultations.
For health advice at any hour, healthdirect is a free government service staffed by registered nurses, available 24/7 on 1800 022 222. They’ll help you work out whether you need to see a doctor, go to hospital, or can safely manage at home. It’s a great first call when you’re just not sure.
For a genuine emergency, don’t wait or second-guess it. Call 000 immediately or go to your nearest hospital emergency department. Chest pain, trouble breathing, severe bleeding, or signs of stroke are always 000, whatever the time or date.
Having these three sorted in your head takes the panic out of the moment if something does crop up.
If You’re Travelling, Do a Little Homework
Heading somewhere for the break? A few minutes of preparation goes a long way. Look up where the nearest medical centre and hospital are at your destination and save the details before you go, especially if you’re taking children or heading somewhere remote.
Pack a small first-aid kit and any regular medications, ready to go, so you’re not hunting for an unfamiliar late-night chemist in a town you don’t know. And if anyone in the family has an ongoing condition or allergy, make sure you’ve got the relevant information and any action plans with you, just in case you need to explain things to a doctor who doesn’t know your history.
Think About Your Routine
For anyone managing a health condition, it’s worth a moment’s thought about how the holidays might throw things off. Different food, later nights, more travel, a few more drinks than usual, warmer weather. All of it can affect how you feel and how well-managed a condition stays.
You don’t need to be rigid about it, the holidays are for enjoying, but a little awareness helps. If you take medication at set times, think about how that works around travel and celebrations. If the heat affects you, plan around it. And if you’re genuinely unsure how the disruption might affect you, a quick chat with your GP before the break can set you up well. We’re always happy to help you plan ahead.
Look After the Mental Side Too
It’s easy to treat “health” as purely physical, but the holidays can be a surprisingly hard time mentally for a lot of people. The mix of family pressures, financial strain, broken routines and, for some, real loneliness can weigh heavily, even in a season that’s supposed to be joyful.
If you’re finding things tough, you don’t have to wait until the new year to reach out. Our GPs are here, and no concern is too small to bring to us. Outside our hours, support is always available: Lifeline on 13 11 14 and Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, both any time of day or night. Looking after your mental wellbeing matters just as much as the physical side, and never more so than at this time of year.
Then, Actually Switch Off
Here’s the real point of the checklist. Sorting these few small things isn’t about adding to your pre-holiday stress. It’s about clearing the decks so you can genuinely relax, knowing there’s nothing lurking that’s going to interrupt the break.
So run through the list. Check your scripts. Confirm we’ve got your right number. Tie off any referrals or reviews. Save the after-hours and emergency numbers. Do a little homework if you’re travelling. And then, with a clear mind, switch off properly and enjoy the time you’ve earned.
From all of us at FTMC Group, we wish you a safe, happy and healthy summer. We’ve cared for this community for over 40 years, and whenever you need us over the break, we’re here.
If there’s anything you’d like to sort before you switch off, now’s the time. Book an appointment online or call us on (02) 6555 0444.
