A vital tool for Saskatchewan healthcare is celebrating its fifth anniversary this week.

     Healthline, a toll-free phone service providing health advice from registered nurses, continues to be successful.  It averages about 400 calls a day, and between 50 and 60 visits to the website each day as well.

     Provincial Health Minister Don McMorris says Healthline deals with a variety of issues ranging from the treatment of wasp bites, to guiding a person through chest pain, as well as mental health and addiction services.

     McMorris says Healthline has been an important part of healthcare in the province, providing a resource so people won't have to use emergency rooms for non-emergency situations.  He adds that Healthline's staff is available all day, every day, to help callers make the right decisions about their health care.