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If you think you might need urgent NHS care but aren't sure, the right thing to do is to contact NHS 111 by phone or online - any time of day or night - to find out where you should go and when.
If needed, experienced clinicians will make a referral directly to the emergency department (ED) or to another treatment unit.
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People turning up at ED without a referral from NHS 111 may be directed elsewhere or have to wait until referred patients have been seen, unless they need immediate treatment.
This is to make sure everyone stays as safe as possible during the covid pandemic.
The system is helping the NHS manage the flow of patients when capacity in waiting rooms is much smaller than before, to maintain distancing and reduce the risk of infection. The waiting room at the ED in Truro, for example, has capacity for only seven people with two-metre distancing, compared to 40 before the pandemic.
Contacting 111 first means everyone will get the right treatment, more quickly - and probably closer to home as well.
Arrangements have not changed for people with serious or life-threatening illnesses or injuries. Please continue to dial 999, as before.
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Meeting friends and family - You can meet in groups of up to six people from multiple households. This applies indoors and outdoors.
Keep a distance of 2m from others where possible
