Stay Safe on Your Holiday: NHS Cornwall’s Essential Tips for Visitors

As Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly gear up to welcome roughly one million visitors each year, the NHS is urging holidaymakers to take simple yet effective steps to stay healthy and get the right help if they fall ill or get injured during their stay.

Prevention is Key

Aisling Crombie, Director of Nursing at NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board, emphasised the importance of staying well-prepared: “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.”

To minimise the risk of common holiday mishaps, the NHS recommends wearing shoes outdoors, avoiding the sun during peak hours, covering up bare skin, and using insect repellent and sun cream. These simple precautions can help prevent issues like sunburn, insect bites, and other minor injuries that could put a damper on your holiday.

Essential Health Advice for Visitors

For those who do encounter health issues while visiting Cornwall, the NHS offers the following advice to ensure you receive timely support:

1. Forgot Your Medication?
   Pharmacists across Cornwall can arrange an emergency supply of most medications, even if you’re far from home. Prescriptions can also be ordered online.
2. Need Non-Urgent Medical Advice?
   Rather than contacting a local GP, visitors are advised to reach out to their own GP back home. Alternatively, NHS 111 is available 24/7 for advice, either online or by phone.
3. Technology-Dependent Health Care?
   If you rely on health tech, such as continuous glucose monitoring, ensure you have a backup plan in case your device fails.
4. Pharmacy First
   Local pharmacies are a quick and accessible option for minor ailments such as sunburn, insect bites, and upset stomachs. Most pharmacies in Cornwall can also assist with conditions like ear infections, rashes, shingles, and sore throats, among others.
5. Heading to a Hospital?
   For more serious issues, visitors should check the locations and live waiting times of minor injury units or urgent treatment centres. NHS 111 can also guide you to the most appropriate service.

Visiting the Isles of Scilly?

The Isles of Scilly, known for their scenic beauty, also offer healthcare services for visitors. On the island of St Mary’s, you can access a local pharmacy, NHS 111, or the minor injury unit. It’s also recommended to stay in touch with your GP back home for any non-urgent concerns.

Choosing the Right Service

If you find yourself needing medical help during your stay, here’s how to decide ‘Where is best?’:

1. Local Pharmacy
   For minor conditions and emergency medication supply, visit a nearby pharmacy. Many urgent medications can now be ordered online for collection.
2. Your Own GP
   Even while on holiday, your own GP is your best contact for advice, including arranging prescriptions that can be collected locally.
3. Minor Injury Units
   These are ideal for injuries like broken bones or cuts needing stitches. Be sure to check the location and current wait times before heading out.
4. Urgent Treatment Centre
   The centre at West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance is open from 8am until midnight for urgent care needs such as minor burns, fractures, and falls. NHS 111 can also help direct you to the best service.
5. Mental Health Support
   For those concerned about mental health, Cornwall’s 24/7 mental health helpline is available on 0800 038 5300, with more resources available on the NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly website.
6. Emergency Services
   Only call 999 or visit the emergency department for life-threatening conditions like chest pain, severe bleeding, stroke, or loss of consciousness.

By following this guidance, visitors can ensure they have a safe and enjoyable stay in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, with peace of mind knowing that help is available if needed.