Wellington, Jan 4 NZPA - Medical advice is never far away for holidaymakers if they dial up the Ministry of Health's free Healthline.

The free phone advice line is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by registered nurses who can help callers with the best course of action for a problem.

Many of the calls received at this time of year related to holiday ailments or mishaps, said Healthline Senior Nurse Advisor Janet Harp.

"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."

To access healthline, call 0800 611 116.