Bank holiday and training closures: messages for your practice website
By Sreeni, Editor · Last reviewed 20 October 2026 · 4 minute read
What every notice needs
- What’s closed. The whole practice, one branch, the phones or the online form.
- When, in full. “From 1pm on Wednesday 11 November”, not “Wednesday afternoon”. Write times as 8am or 6:30pm, and days in full.
- What to do instead. NHS 111 online or 111 for urgent help, 999 in an emergency, and your online form or a local pharmacy if they’re open.
- When you’re back. The day and time you reopen.
Before bank holidays, add when to order repeat prescriptions so they’re ready in time. And take the notice down as soon as it’s over: an old closure notice makes patients think you’re still closed.
Messages you can adapt
Change the dates and times, then paste. Each one is written in plain English, for a reading age of about 9 to 11.
Bank holiday
We're closed on Monday 3 May for the bank holiday, and open again at 8am on Tuesday 4 May. If you need medical help while we're closed, use NHS 111 online or call 111. In an emergency, call 999. Please order repeat prescriptions by Wednesday 28 April so they're ready in time.
Training afternoon
We're closed from 1pm on Wednesday 11 November for staff training, and open again at 8am on Thursday 12 November. If you need medical help while we're closed, use NHS 111 online or call 111. In an emergency, call 999.
Phone problems
Our phone lines aren't working at the moment. We're sorry. You can still contact us using our online form, or visit the practice. If you need medical help urgently, use NHS 111 online or call 111. In an emergency, call 999. We'll update this message when the phones are working again.
Bad weather
Because of snow, we're opening late today, at 10am. If you have an appointment before 10am, we'll contact you to rearrange it. If you can't get to your appointment safely, please let us know using our online form. If you need medical help urgently, use NHS 111 online or call 111. In an emergency, call 999.
Computer systems down
Our computer systems aren't working at the moment, so we can't book appointments or issue prescriptions. We're working to fix this and will update this message. If you need medical help urgently, use NHS 111 online or call 111. In an emergency, call 999.
Where to put them
- At the top of your homepage, above everything except the urgent help link.
- On your opening times and contact pages, if the closure changes them.
- On your NHS.uk profile, for bank holidays and planned closures.
- Not in a pop-up. Pop-ups get closed without being read and get in the way on phones.
Questions
What should a closure notice say?
What's closed, the exact dates and times, what patients should do instead (NHS 111 online or 111, and 999 in an emergency), and when you'll be open again.
Should we use a pop-up for closures?
No. Pop-ups get closed without being read and get in the way on phones. Put the notice at the top of the homepage instead.
Do we need to update our NHS.uk profile too?
Yes, for bank holidays and planned closures, so patients searching on nhs.uk see the right times.
Correct as of October 2026. Check your local out-of-hours arrangements with your ICB, and change the dates in each message before you use it.
This guide is general information, not legal or contractual advice.