Stay well while visiting Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

Whether coming for a family holiday, to visit friends or have fun at a festival, we are urging visitors to follow simple steps to help them stay well and get help if they become ill or injured during their stay.

Prevention is, of course, better than cure and you can reduce your chances of some of the most commons problems by wearing shoes outside, keeping out of the sun during the hottest part of the day, covering up bare skin, and wearing insect repellent and sun cream.

Our director of nursing, Aisling Crombie says: “If you are one of the roughly 1 million visitors we welcome to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly each year, we hope you have a wonderful stay in this, the best part of the country. If you are ill or injured during your visit, please follow our advice to ensure you get timely support from the right service.”

5 things to know if you’re visiting Cornwall

1. If you have forgotten to pack your repeat medication, pharmacists can arrange an emergency supply of most medicines, even if you are far from home. You can also order a prescription online.
2. If you need non-urgent advice, please call your own GP and not the one closest to where you are staying. You can also visit NHS 111 online or call 111 for advice, anytime day or night.
3. If you rely on technology to manage your health, for example continuous glucose monitoring, please ensure you have an alternative means of doing this should the technology fail or not be available.
4. In the vast majority of cases, a pharmacist can help with advice and over the counter remedies. Whether it’s sunburn, an insect bite, an upset stomach or earache a local pharmacy can offer quick and easy assistance for minor conditions. Most Cornish pharmacists can help with a range of Pharmacy First conditions including ear infections, rashes, infected insect bites, shingles, sinusitis, urinary tract infections and sore throats (some age restrictions do apply). You can find your nearest open pharmacy online.
5. If you think you need to visit a hospital, such as one of our minor injury units or urgent treatment centre, please check locations and live opening and waiting times first. You can also contact NHS 111 to find out where you should go and when.

Visiting the Isles of Scilly?

The beautiful islands attract countless visitors over the year. Services are on hand on the island of St Mary’s for people needing healthcare, including the local pharmacy, NHS 111 or the minor injury unit, and of course their own GP back home.

Our website has help with where to find services and opening times on the Isles of Scilly.

Where is best if you’re ill or injured?

If you think you need medical help, please consider ‘Where is best?’.

1. Visit your local pharmacy for help with allergies, insect bites, stings and emergency contraception, as well as a range of other conditions. Pharmacists can also provide an emergency supply of most medicines when your GP is closed, even if you are on holiday. Find your nearest open pharmacy. Many urgent medications can now be ordered online for collection at a local pharmacy, by visiting NHS 111 online.

2. Your own GP is your best point of contact even when you are on holiday in Cornwall. They are used to helping by phone, video and email. If you need a prescription, your surgery can send it to any pharmacy you choose, for you to collect close to where you are staying. NHS Cornwall’s website also has advice on GP services.

3. Minor injury units can help with conditions like broken bones and cuts that need stitches, but your nearest one might not be the quickest option. Check locations and live opening and waiting times.

4. The urgent treatment centre at West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance is open daily from 8am until midnight, for people needing urgent medical care for injuries and conditions such as minor burns and scalds, simple fractures to the arms and legs, cuts, and minor falls. If you need urgent care advice, visit NHS 111 online or call 111. Expert clinicians can direct you to the best service for your needs.

5. If you are worried about your own or someone else’s mental health, Cornwall’s 24/7 mental health helpline can help. Call free on 0800 038 5300. You can visit our website for information on more mental health support services.

6. Please only call 999 or visit the emergency department if your illness or injury is life- or limb-threatening. This includes chest pain, trouble breathing, severe bleeding, stroke and loss of consciousness.