Responding to the health and wellbeing needs of your community during an emergency or natural disaster. Northern Queensland PHN offers a range of resources to support health professionals respond in emergency situations.
Tips during the response phase
- Refer to the practice’s emergency management plan.
- Communicate to patients any changes to access or open hours and/or reinforce continued access.
- Consider extending or offering alternative arrangements to accommodate changed or increase in patient demand.
- Follow alert and warning updates.
- Offer support to your local practices as agreed if you have the capacity to do so.
Response during a disaster
- Consider extending opening hours to accommodate an increase in patient demand.
- Communicate to patients any changes to access or open hours and/or reinforce continued access.
- Regularly visit and follow alert and warning update sites to stay informed.
Responses to specific disasters/emergencies
Disasters and emergencies are increasing in prevalence and impact, and North Queensland has a relatively high level of exposure to extreme weather events.
Our region can experience a range of natural disasters including cyclones, floods, storms, bushfires and pandemics. These emergencies can pose a risk to business continuity in primary care. It is a requirement of the RACGP Standards of General Practice that practices prepare and maintain an emergency response plan (ERP).
In line with the Commonwealth Legislation (Aged Care Act 1997 and Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018), it is essential for RACHs to continue to provide care and support to their clients throughout a disaster. Emergencies can impact residential aged care homes’ (RACHs) ability to provide services, and preparing for emergencies helps lessen these impacts.
Flooding and cyclones
Information and resources to help you, your staff and patients during disaster recovery following cyclones and flooding.
Heatwaves
It is recommended that service providers have a plan in place should a disaster event occur (for example, a heatwave) to ensure their staff and clients are aware of strategies to protect themselves and family.
NQPHN has compiled information to assist service providers who support clients in the community with preparedness activities for heatwaves.
Heatwave specific resources:
- Heatwave warnings (Bureau of Meteorology)
- Extreme Heat and Heatwaves Stakeholder Kit 2023-24 (Queensland Government)
- Heatwaves asset library (Queensland Government)
- Hot weather health and safety (Queensland Government)
- Heatwave preparation checklist (Queensland Government)
Bushfires
Fine smoke particles can cause health problems like itchy or burning eyes, throat irritation, a runny nose, and illnesses like bronchitis.
They can also aggravate existing lung conditions, like chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma. Symptoms can occur for several days after smoke is inhaled.
Residents should:
- close windows and doors
- use fans or air conditioning on recirculating mode to keep cool
- keep medications close by if suffering a respiratory condition
- be vigilant in taking prescribed medications for existing lung conditions.
If you have a known respiratory condition such as asthma please have your regular medication at hand and see your GP if you do not feel you are adequately prepared.
Residents should call Triple Zero (000) if you are having health problems or believe your property is under threat.
- Bushfires ~in Australia factsheet (RACGP)
- Bushfires Stakeholder Kit (Queensland Government)
Influenza and measles
Resources during an emergency
- Outage Finder (Ergon Energy power outage information)
- Queensland Traffic Road Condition Information (search for flooded or damaged roads)
- RACGP Natural Disasters (New information for GPs in, or supporting, disaster-affected communities)
Mental health and wellbeing support
Supporting staff and patients in a time of crisis.
Free wellbeing support for general practice and pharmacy staff.
NQPHN offers free EAP support for all general practice and pharmacy staff affected by the impact of cyclones and/or floods.
An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a work-based intervention program designed to enhance the emotional, mental, and general psychological well-being of all employees and includes services for immediate family members.
To access this confidential service, please contact AccessEAP on 1800 818 728 and identify as one of these groups when calling into our service, starting with Northern Queensland Primary Health Network, then either Chemist Staff or GP staff.
For more information on AccessEAP, visit their website.
NQPHN has also created an EAP support poster to advise staff of the service availability:
- Download poster (General Practices)
- Download poster (Pharmacies)
Wellbeing support for Practice Managers and their teams
AAPM has set up a dedicated opportunity for Practice Managers and their team members to access the AAPM Member Assistance Program. AAPM will fully fund the first few engagements to ensure healthcare professionals can remain supported.
AAPM Non-Member Support can be accessed here using code NMS024 to successfully identify and validate your eligibility.
Head to Health
Prioritising your mental health is important. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, it’s available 24/7. Find resources and helplines at Head to Health.
Other support services
| Service | Description | Contact details |
|---|---|---|
| 13 YARN | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis support line. Available 24/7. No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. | 13 92 76 / 13yarn.org.au |
| 1800 RESPECT | Free, 24/7 support for people impacted by domestic, family, or sexual violence. | 1800 732 732 / 1800respect.org.au |
| Beyond Blue | 24/7 support programs to address issues related to depression, suicide, anxiety disorders, and other related mental illnesses. | 1300 224 636 / beyondblue.org.au |
| Head to Health Phone Service | Local general mental health advice and support. You can make a free call to Head to Health between 8.30am–5pm weekdays (except public holidays). | 1800 595 212 / headtohealth.gov.au |
| headspace Cairns | Free mental health service available for 12–25 year olds. E-headspace services are available including phone and online support. | Online and phone support - headspace |
| Kids Helpline | Resilient Kids resource 'The Hub' is available for practical and mental health strategies to cope before, during and after a disaster. | 1800 55 1800 / kidshelpline.com.au/disaster-response |
| Lifeline Australia | Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention. | 13 11 14 / lifeline.org.au |
| StandBy Support After Suicide Service | 24-hour community-based, suicide postvention program for people bereaved by suicide. | 1300 727 247 / standbysupport.com.au |
| Suicide Call Back Service | Free counselling for suicide prevention and mental health via telephone, online and video for anyone affected by suicidal thoughts, 24/7. | 1300 659 467 / suicidecallbackservice.org.au |
| QLife | LGBTI peer support and referral for people wanting to talk about a range of issues including sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings, or relationships. | 1800 184 527 / qlife.org.au |
Other useful links
Queensland Health factsheets
- Public health advice for disaster management
- Black flies – a public health risk after a flood
- Restoring flood-affected domestic swimming pools and spa pools
- Ensuring safe drinking water
- Restoring rainwater tanks affected by natural disasters
- Health advice for emergency response workers
- Use and disposal of medicines after a disaster
- Food safety in an emergency
- Controlling mosquito breeding after floods, storms and cyclones
- Mosquito-borne diseases after a storm, flood or cyclone
- Dealing with mould after a storm, flood or cyclone
- Returning to a disaster-affected house or building
- Stay safe and healthy after storms, floods and cyclones
- Use of playgrounds and sporting fields during flood recovery
