Tourists coming to Cornwall this summer could be asked to use their own GP services remotely if they fall ill while visiting.
Health bosses in Cornwall say that GP services expect to be under added pressure this summer. Instead of adding to their load, they’ll ask to visitors to use their own GP services at home via phone or video.
Dr Iain Chorlton, chair of the NHS Kernow governing body, said that with remote services being used across the country due to coronavirus there was an opportunity to use them more widely.
He said: ’When we might see visitors coming into Cornwall we don’t want them to put extra demand on our health services.
’We will be asking people to contact their own GPs if they need assistance while here.
’There is no reason why we have to put extra strain on our services here in Cornwall.
’We can expect large numbers of people to access their own surgeries remotely.
Dr Chorlton said that while numbers of covid-19 cases in Cornwall had been relatively low compared to other parts of the country people still needed to follow the guidelines to prevent spread.
He said: ’This pandemic isn’t over. We continue to work closely with our public health colleagues to understand how the virus affects our communities.’
Speaking on Thursday he added: ’The numbers have been low across the south west and certainly locally. We haven’t been hit particularly hard here, our NHS has kept up with demand.
’There are currently four patients in Royal Cornwall Hospital Treliske with covid-19.’
by Richard Whitehouse, local democracy reporter