Those nagging health questions may be answered - or referred on - 24 hours a day 365 days a year on VHI's Health Information Line. The new hotline is available to VHI option plan members with effect from their next renewal date.

The information line will be staffed by Irish nurses who will provide up-to-date facts on medical conditions, their causes and treatments available, health education, drugs and dosages, lists of local doctors and pharmacies, support and self-help groups. The new VHI service is offered through Europ Assistance, the world's largest supplier of assistance and related insurance services.