Health advice is a phone call away, the Yukon government has announced after investing $100,000 to piggyback on Health Line Services British Columbia.

That province's 811 number has been opened up for Yukoners to get information from registered nurses 24/7 to determine if they can treat a problem from home, or should seek medical attention.

Health and Social Services Minister Brad Cathers said the new 811 service would augment similar initiatives - the Yukon Health Guide and an online version - that extend health care to rural communities and help to reduce unnecessary emergency room visits.

"A few minutes ago, the new Yukon health line went live territory-wide," Cathers said at 2 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. "And that gives Yukoners the ability to access health information and advice over the phone."

After a caller dials, a registered nurse will answer the call. Through a series of questions, the nurse will assess the caller's health needs and provide him or her with advice.

When appropriate, nurses can offer symptom-specific advice for home remedies, advise making a doctor's appointment or direct the caller to seek immediate medical care.

"The line is being answered by nurses in B.C. who have been trained to take Yukon calls," said Cathers.

"These nurses know, for example, that the closest pharmacy for a Ross River caller is in Whitehorse or that a resident of Old Crow can't drive out."

"As we officially launch the new service, I want to thank the many people who were part of the extensive preparation for the launch of this line."

Cathers said nurses based in B.C. are equipped to deal with callers in 130 languages - including some aboriginal tongues - but the department was unable to say which are applicable to the Yukon.

Outside Whitehorse, the Watson Lake hospital and 13 health stations with on-call nursing staff serve the territory's 14 communities. Officials hope the 811 service addition may ease stress on communities' on-call nurses.

The government's original $100,000 investment will cover start-up costs and an anticipated 4,000 calls in the 2008-2009 fiscal year. In the years thereafter, the 811 service will cost Health and Social Services 81 cents/minute.

"With any health care advice, there is some risk of misdiagnosis," said Cathers, responding to questions of liability if callers are given the wrong advice.

"What this is about is providing increased service, the basis of which is helping people make their own decisions ... this does not replace face-to-face visits."

On the issue of face-to-face health care, as Whitehorse General Hospital (WGH) looks for money to do up to $35 million in emergency room upgrades, Cathers was asked what's being done to improve existing on-the-ground health services.

Noting that funding to WGH has increased 50 per cent since the Yukon Party took power six years ago, Cathers would not commit to more government money to finance improvements.

"It would be advantageous to enhance the (hospital's) infrastructure and we'll continue to work with them," he said. The hospital corporation has not yet approached the government with any proposals, he added.

"We'll consider and assess any proposal but we're not jumping to conclusions."