Updated: See the latest stories on the coronavirus outbreak.

The UK is in near-total lockdown, but medical appointments remain one of the few reasons you’re permitted to leave the house. That doesn’t mean it’s business as usual at your local GP, hospital or dentist, however. 

To limit the spread of Covid-19, the government is advising everyone to “access medical assistance remotely, wherever possible”. And of course, if you have symptoms of coronavirus – a high temperature and a new, continuous cough – you’re advised not to visit a GP surgery, and instead use the NHS 111 tool.

But what if you’re feeling unwell and don’t have any virus symptoms? Or you have a routine health appointment booked. Should you still go?

Here’s everything you need to know. 

GP appointments 

Many GP surgeries around the UK have closed due to links to the virus, or suspended face-to-face appointments to limit the risk of transmission for both staff and patients.

Most surgeries have moved to a ‘total triage’ system, explains Professor Martin Marshall, chair of the Royal College of GPs. This means initial access with the surgery is done remotely and only those who “absolutely need examining” are invited into the surgery. To help free up services to deal with Covid-19 patients, some scheduled GP appointments are being cancelled or postponed. 

Prof. Marshall says if you need medical assistance for something that isn’t related to Covid-19, you should call your GP surgery and – providing you fit a criteria – you’ll be able to speak to a clinician who will decide if you need further treatment. If you consider your issue minor, you should check NHS.uk or your GP practice website in the first instance.

Urgent appointments that must be conducted face-to-face because they require an examination may be moved to another GP surgery. Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) are in charge of deciding which sites will operate appointments in your local area. 

Although the public is being asked to consider whether appointments can be postponed, you shouldn’t hesitate to get in touch if you think you’re showing symptoms of a serious health condition, such as cancer.  

“People who are concerned about any symptoms related to suspected cancer should still contact their GP and GPs should make sure they continue to refer those for suspected cancer for diagnostic tests as normal,” the NHS says.

Routine health appointments

The NHS says routine medication reviews can be deferred if necessary – possibly to recommence from October – unless they can be viably conducted remotely, “and/or in exceptional cases in person or by home visit as per local clinical discretion”. In most cases, repeat prescriptions can be given digitally or over the phone. 

Professor Marshall says routine work that needs to be continued – such as childhood vaccinations and care for patients with long-term conditions – will still be ongoing within general practice.

However, he says it’s likely that “non-essential routine screening procedures, such as cervical smears” may be delayed until the acute crisis is over, adding: “We hope this delay will not be too significant.”

Hospital appointments and operations 

NHS England has told hospitals to suspend all non-urgent surgery for three months from 15 April in order to free up beds and ration resources. However, hospitals have been given “local discretion to wind down elective activity over the next 30 days”.

Because of this, you may be contacted by your hospital wishing to cancel or postpone upcoming surgery or other hospital appointments. You should speak to your consultant or your GP if you’re confused about the status of a current referral. 

Dentist appointments 

The British Dental Association (BDA) has said during this time, most routine treatment that involves ‘aerosol’ generating procedures will end. This means treatments like fillings, or a scale and polish, are unlikely to take place until further notice. The BDA is calling on the government for specific guidance relating to dentistry and how emergency procedures should be conducted. 

“It is impossible to provide routine treatment in dental practices,” chair Mick Armstrong told HuffPost UK. “There is no definition of what constitutes an emergency, but if you are in pain try contacting your practice by phone, as many will have staff in place who can advise.

“England has yet to set out plans for a dedicated emergency dental service, properly equipped to deal with these cases. Our patients need to see a system put in place in the days ahead.”