Stay Covid safe this Easter and do your bit not to put pressure on your local NHS

NHS bosses in Cornwall are asking people not to put pressure on the NHS unnecessarily by turning up at A&E or calling 999 when calling 111 would do

20 March 2021

By Olivier Vergnault

The number of Covid cases may be at its lowest for months, but health experts in Cornwall believe now is not the time to let our guard down and risk overrunning health services over the busy Easter weekend.

Healthcare professionals in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are asking people to continue to be vigilant against Covid and help keep everyone safe this Easter.

People who need urgent – but not emergency – medical care when their own GP surgery is not open, including during the bank holiday, and don’t think they can wait, should contact NHS 111 online or by phone, at any time day or night.

John Garman, GP and a member of NHS Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group governing body, said: “As we arrive at the first stage of the easing of lockdown, we must not let our guard down, coronavirus is still circulating and we must continue to do all we can to limit the spread of the deadly virus.

“The best way we can continue to protect ourselves, each other and the NHS is to know the right place to go if you need medical treatment.

“If people have a non-life-threatening illness, which they can’t manage themselves with over the counter medicines or a visit to the pharmacy, they should contact their own GP surgery as the first point of call.

“When your GP surgery is not open you should contact NHS 111 online or by phone.”

There are other simple steps that people can take to help avoid needing to seek medical advice later such as making sure they have a supply of antihistamines and paracetamol in your medicine cabinet.

Anyone who requires a repeat prescription is asked to make sure their request is with their GP surgery or designated pharmacy by Friday 26 March at the latest.

Pharmacists across the county will be available during the bank holiday weekend and will be able to provide expert, confidential advice and over the counter remedies for minor injuries as well as coughs and colds.

Julia Sharland, from the minor injuries unit at Newquay Hospital, said: “We must all continue to follow the government guidance, maintain distance and make sure we can keep people safe while Covid continues to circulate.”

Anyone with serious or life-threatening illnesses or injuries should dial 999.