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Visiting Devon and Cornwall this summer? You can still contact your home GP for a telephone consultation. If you need more urgent care, phone 111 and they'll signpost you to the most appropiate service.

If you develop COVID-19 symptoms during your visit to the area, it’s important that you act quickly to help yourself and protect those around you. If you have symptoms, stay indoors and self-isolate and arrange a test using your holiday address. Get a free NHS test to check if you have coronavirus.

If you’re staying away from home in self-contained accommodation, make sure that you’ve got some essentials with you including plasters, paracetamol, antiseptic, and order enough of your regular medication from your own GP ahead of your stay away.

 

Forgot your medication?

Pharmacists can arrange an emergency supply of medicines if you forget to renew your prescription or bring your medication on holiday, even if you don’t live in in the area. You can also order a prescription online.

 

Need health advice?

Anyone who is either on holiday, or visiting from another part of the country is asked to call their own GP, and not the one closest to where they’re staying, if they need non-urgent advice.

For people who need urgent – but not emergency – medical care when their own GP is not open, and don’t think they can wait, there is just one number to remember – 111. Visit 111.nhs.uk or call 111, at any time day or night.

Please do not turn up at the minor injuries units (MIU) or urgent treatment centres (UTC) without contacting 111 first. If, after contacting 111, you need to attend an MIU or UTC, you will be given an arrival time, which will help everyone continue to follow government guidance, maintain distance and keep people safe while COVID continues to circulate.

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

 

Beach safety

Around half the people who die at the coast slip, trip or fall into the water. If you see someone in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.

When you’re heading to a beach, visit a life guarded beach. On a life guarded beach there are trained professionals to help keep you safe. They’ll be on hand if something goes wrong, in or out of the water.

If you spot someone in trouble and have something that floats or they can hold onto throw it to them. Don’t enter the water – too many people die trying to save others.

If you’ve been drinking alcohol, keep safe and don’t go in the water.

For more beach safety advice visit the Beachwise website.

 

Coastal walking

The coasts of Devon and Cornwall are beautiful and wild – and there to be explored. Coastal walking is a very safe activity most of the time, but it’s important to be aware of the risks.

• Be wary of all edges around the sea and waterside. Slips and falls happen in all locations. It’s not just high cliff edges that are a risk.
• Always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back.
• Always take a means of calling for help.
• Keep dogs on a lead if you’re close to cliff edges. If they go into the water, don’t go after them.

If you’re in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.

Read more coastal walking safety tips.

 

Sun safety

Sunburn can ruin your holiday and increase the risk of skin cancer in later life. So please, keep safe this summer and follow the five S’s of sun safety.

1. Sunscreen: slop on SPF 30+ broad-spectrum waterproof sunscreen every two hours.
2. Sun hat: slap on a broad-brimmed hat that shades your face, neck and ears and keep children covered up.
3. Sunglasses: wear wrap-around sunglasses with UV protection
4. Shoulders: slip on a T-shirt or UV protective suit for children and keep shoulders covered.
5. Shade: seek shade, particularly from 11am to 3pm when UV rays are at their strongest.

 

Below is a map of Minor Injuries Units, Urgent Treatment Centres and Emergency Departments in Devon and Cornwall