A GP practice in Cornwall has issued leaflets stating how tourists should call their own doctors not 'the one closest to where they're staying' - in order to keep pressure off NHS frontline services during the summer holidays.

Port Isaac Practice has urged visitors to go to pharmacies, use minor injury units and call NHS 111 this summer.

The leaflet - produced by John Quilter from the surgery’s PPG, stated: "Anyone who is visiting Cornwall is asked to call their own GP, and not the one closest to where they’re staying, if they need non-urgent advice.

"They have all your medical background close to hand. They are used to helping by phone, video, and email. If you need a prescription, your surgery can send it to any pharmacy you choose, for you to collect close to where you are staying".

The plea comes as the NHS has said the emergency department at Cornwall's only major hospital, based in Truro, saw demand go up by 10 per cent during August each year and the proportion of non residents that attended more than doubled.

Nick Hearle, a GP at Port Isaac Surgery, explained how in previous summers, the practice was asked for hundreds of appointments by patients registered with different surgeries.

He added that "nearly 1,000 appointments every year [were] taken up with temporary residents".

Susan Bracefield, chief nursing officer at the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board, said: "It's fantastic what they're doing in Port Isaac and we'd like more GP practices to spread the message that you don't want to be waiting for hours in our emergency department in Truro.

"We have a lot of visitors coming into our county and welcome they are too, so we plan for the summer to make sure everyone gets the healthcare they need when they come to the county."