The Christmas opening hours of two major doctors surgeries in our area have been confirmed.

Church Lane Surgery, Braintree, will be open as usual from 8am until 6.30pm on Monday Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, with extended hours until 8pm on Thursday, through until Friday, December 22.

The surgery will shut over the weekend and will remain closed until Wednesday, December 27. Church Lane Surgery is open on December 27, 28 and 29, between 8am and 6.30pm but will then close for new year.

Normal service is resumed as of January 2.

Silver End Surgery, in Broadway, is open between 8am and 6.30pm Monday to Friday until Friday, December 22.

The surgery will close at the weekend and remain closed until Wednesday, December 27. It will be open to patients on December 27, 28, and 29 before closing for new year.

Normal service is again resumed on January 2.

Both surgeries are run by Virgin Care on behalf of the NHS.

Juliet Rodney, Virgin Care's regional primary care manager, said: “Christmas is such a busy time for services like ours so it’s important we offer services so that locals can access healthcare when they need to.

“We’re would also recommend our patients to put their repeat prescriptions in as soon as possible so that they’re able to get the medication they need to last throughout the festive season.”

Visit www.churchlanesurgery.co.uk or www.silverendsurgery.co.uk.