Free medical advice available these holidays

Free medical advice available these holidays – Healthline

0800 611 116 22 December 2008

We've all been there. First day of the holidays, you've just got to the beach or camping ground, and someone develops a splitting headache, a nasty tummy bug, or steps on a rusty nail. You’re miles away from the nearest town, it’s Sunday night anyway – what to do?

Thankfully, you can turn to the Government-funded Healthline service. Whether you’re at 90 Mile Beach, or in Bluff, if there’s telephone coverage, help is at hand.

Healthline – 0800 611 116 – is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by registered nurses who can advise you on the best thing to do and how urgently you should do it. Depending on your health issue, that could be advice to see a GP or visit the emergency department immediately, or to see a GP within 24 hours. Up to 40 percent of callers are given information to safely manage themselves at home, including things to try, and advice on what to watch out for. A small percentage of callers are put through to 111.

Healthline Senior Nurse Advisor Janet Harp says many of the calls received over the Christmas and New Year period relate to holiday ailments or mishaps.

“Typically we receive a lot of calls about diarrhoea and vomiting. We also deal with those things that can happen when people are enjoying summer holiday activities – from sunburn and dehydration, to rashes, bites and stings from bees, fleas, jelly fish and sting rays.”

Heathline nurses can also direct you to the nearest GP clinic or after-hours chemist.

For free confidential health advice from a registered nurse these holidays, phone Healthline on 0800 611 116.

ENDS

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