Free helpline: Talk to a nurse for free, around-the-clock

Parents are now able to get answers quickly for a wide variety of childhood health issues from a registered nurse, 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week by calling the new, free Nurse Health Line at 713-338-7979. Call night or day, weekday or weekend, and reach an experienced registered nurse who will carefully evaluate a child’s health needs and advise on the best course of treatment for the illness or injury. From poison ivy to an upset tummy, this free service is available regardless of if one has insurance or a primary care provider. When a child has a fever of 102 degrees or a worrisome cough at 2 a.m., the Nurse Health Line helps one to:

• decide when and where to go for treatment.

• get help after the doctor’s office has closed.

• find a better way to get medical care than sitting for hours in an emergency room.

• figure out options to treat a sick child.

• talk over health concerns with a registered nurse.

• locate a nearby clinic or low-cost health care provider with extended hours of operation.

• get help with both kid and adult medical complaints.

• find some much-needed peace of mind.

The Nurse Health Line features bilingual staff and language interpreters who are a valuable source of reliable and caring health information, education, and support. All calls to the Nurse Health Line are confidential and answered by a staff of professionals who are experienced in assessment of clinical situations. To help people who call, nurses use their training, experience, evidence-based decision-support tools, and peer-reviewed materials to conduct assessments. The Nurse Health Line is funded through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Texas Health and Human Services Commission. It is not designed to assist with life-threatening conditions or emergencies. If a child has a life-threatening condition or emergency, immediately call 911.