It can happen to anyone. You're off on holiday enjoying a much needed break. The weather's been perfect and the family's having fun. Then someone develops a splitting headache, a nasty rash, or cuts their foot on some broken glass. You're miles from nowhere and it's Sunday night. What do you do?

Thankfully, you can turn to the Ministry of Health-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, seven days a week by registered nurses who can advise you on what's best to do and how urgently you should do it.

Depending on your health issue, that could be advice to see a GP within 24 hours or to visit the emergency department right away. Up to 40 percent of callers are given information to self-manage the condition, 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 at this time of year relate to holiday ailments or mishaps.

"We get lots 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 headaches, bites and stings from insects and jelly fish, and food poisoning - especially from shellfish."

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

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