Watch a short video update from CEO Monika Wheeler.
Dear North Coast primary health practitioners,
Healthy North Coast is working with the Mid North Coast and Northern NSW Local Health Districts, as well as the NSW and Australian governments, to coordinate the health response to Cyclone Alfred.
Since our last major disaster, the Northern Rivers floods in 2022, we have learned a lot. Primary health care is now more recognised than ever before for the valuable role we can play in response and recovery efforts.
We have prepared the below information to help you prepare for this significant weather event.
Please get in touch with our Regional Managers to update on service information or provide feedback about local community health care needs.
Let’s stay connected and coordinated as we support local communities in this time of need.
Thank you for your work and please stay safe,
Monika Wheeler
Healthy North Coast CEO.
1. Access HealthPathways for point of care advice and referral information
HealthPathways provides local information to make the right decisions, together with patients, at the point of care. The pathways are designed primarily for general practice teams, but are also available to specialists, allied health professionals, and other health professionals across the region.
The below page has useful information for general practices and primary care providers during a disaster:
Username: manchealth
Password: conn3ct3d
In the event of a natural disaster or emergency, HealthPathways pages may be updated with specific, relevant information.
2. Keep your doors open if you can
The most important role primary health care services can play during a disaster is to continue to do what you do best – provide care for patients at your clinic premises at your normal business hours, if this is possible.
Once the impact of the weather event is known, Healthy North Coast will enact our We Are Open program in affected areas. This initiative financially supports general practices, AMSs and pharmacies to extend opening hours during a disaster so that local communities can access primary health care during and after an emergency.
Healthy North Coast may coordinate general practice, mental health and pharmacy volunteers into evacuation centres if the scale of the disaster is significant and there have been widespread service closures.
3. Keep up to date + reach out for support
Healthy North Coast encourages all general practices, pharmacies and allied health providers to keep your details and current opening hours up to date on the National Health Services Directory. We will post regular updates and will be working with healthdirect to assess capacity changes within the region.
If your services are impacted or you would like to escalate a concern about local community health care needs, please do not hesitate to contact your local Regional Manager or email us at [email protected]. If we cannot assist directly, we can escalate to the NSW or Australian governments as part of a coordinated regional effort.
And of course, let’s not forget the mental health impact of events like this. If you or your patients need support, there are 24/7 services available:
- Lifeline – 13 11 14 – for those needing urgent and immediate support
- Beyond Blue – 1300 22 46 36 – for less urgent advice and support for mental wellbeing, anxiety and depression
- Head to Health – 1800 595 212 – this is a mental health and wellbeing service for all ages, which provides information and clinical assessment to guide you to services + supports that best suit your needs.
If you are in an affected area, a representative from Healthy North Coast may contact you to check the impact on your practice, your opening hours, capabilities, and offer our support.
Keep up to date with relevant alerts and warnings during a disaster. Updates are available through:
