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Coronavirus symptoms?
- If you have coronavirus symptoms and need medical help for any reason, do not go to a GP or dentist, pharmacy or hospital. If you have symptoms of coronavirus (a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change in sense of smell or taste), contact NHS 111 online.
Dental services
NHS England commissions dental services in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. For more information, call 0300 311 2233 or email NHS England.
Dentist practices are open but may be prioritising the vulnerable or those with the most urgent need. Get in your touch with your practice by phone or email if you need advice or an appointment.
People who do not have a dentist should call Cornwall’s emergency dental service on 0333 405 0290 or email Smile Together.
If you need to see a dentist outside of normal opening hours, use the NHS 111 online service or call 111.
GP services
Practices in Cornwall are still open. They are just working in new and different ways to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. They are offering secure telephone and online and video consultations to help keep patients safe at a time of social distancing. Face to face appointments are available if needed.
If you need to see a GP, contact your practice using their website or by phone.
Are you on holiday in Cornwall and need to see a doctor? Please contact your own GP practice. Practices up and down the country are offering video appointments which means they can see patients safely and quickly.
If you need to see a GP outside of normal opening hours, contact NHS 111 online or call NHS 111.
GP surgeries are closed on public holidays. Anyone with a repeat prescription needs to make sure they collect enough medication to last them throughout the holiday periods. Please also remember to take your prescribed medication with you if you’re visiting family or friends. The emergency department or 999, minor injury units and urgent treatment centre should not be used to request prescriptions. If you forget your prescription, contact your nearest pharmacy.
Online consultations
Online consultations are a free online service for patients to virtually ask their GP practice questions about health symptoms, conditions, or treatments, from anywhere. Photographs of your condition can also be sent to your GP practice
Who and how can I access online consultations?
All GP practices across Cornwall and Isles of Scilly offer this service to their registered patients. You will need access to the internet, or know someone who has, to be able to use it.
Online consultations are available via your practice website and some through the NHS App.
If you are accessing online consultations through the NHS App, please follow the steps below:
- Login to the NHS App.
- Click on the advice section.
- Click on ask your GP for advice.
Using the NHS app will pre-populate your demographic data for a quicker consultation.
When should I use it?
If you need a response within 48 to 72 hours, please check your practice website for the hours of use of their online consultation provider.
You can use this service for things like:
- sick notes
- GP letters
- prescription requests
- conditions which concern you but do not require an urgent response
When can I expect a response from my GP practice?
- Health condition enquires will be acknowledged within 48 to 72 hours.
- Administrative requests, such as sick notes or GP letters, will be responded to within 72 hours.
If you do not receive a response within the timescales above, please do not submit another enquiry. Please wait for your GP to contact you or phone your GP and ask about your enquiry.
Why should I use online consultations?
They provide you with the ability to tell your GP practice your problem without needing to phone your practice. Saving you time on the phone and allowing your GP practice to focus on urgent patient enquiries.
Process
- Patient completes online consultation.
- Practice reviews online consultation.
- Practice contacts patients within timescales above.
Help with prescriptions during COVID-19
Please order your prescriptions from your GP as normal, either electronically or via telephone. There is no need to stockpile. You can also order repeat prescriptions using the NHS App.
Volunteer Cornwall can help with collecting medical prescriptions. Call 01872 266988 or email the request for help team.
Page last reviewed: 3 October, 2022