The Cornish Times has been asked to publish this message which relates to the following surgeries: Rosedean House Liskeard, Saltash Health Centre, Rame Group Practice, Quay Lane Surgery, Port View Surgery, Old Bridge Surgery and Launceston Medical Centre.

’At this time it is essential we keep our phone lines clear for emergency calls. All routine GP appointments will be handled through our online services only, wherever possible.

’Please, do not attend your practice with a routine or non-urgent condition. Use your GP practice’s online services where appropriate, these are available on your GP surgery’s website. Take advantage of eConsult where your surgery has this facility and if you do need to see a GP, consider using the video consultation facility (LIVI) available from your GP practice website.

’Routine cases and appointments will not be seen by a GP or healthcare professional for the foreseeable future. The telephone service is still available if you do not have internet access.

’We desperately want and need to continue to deliver a high level of service to you all, prescribe important medications to patients and care for our vulnerable patients, but in doing so, we do need your help. Please, exercise patience when dealing with healthcare professionals over the coming weeks.  We are amongst those at greatest risk of infection and we are already feeling the effects of the increased workload.

’To ensure we can continue to look after you and keep transmission as low as possible we do need your help and patience. It will be a challenging time for everyone. If you are getting frustrated with waiting times in pharmacies and with other healthcare professionals, please take a moment to consider how your healthcare professional is feeling in having to deal with this increased demand.’