Following consultation with local primary health services providers, Healthy North Coast is offering workforce support, debrief and wellbeing programs to primary health professionals and teams in flood-impacted communities in Northern NSW.
This assistance is part of wider support provided by the Australian Government through the PHN program as part of the Northern NSW flood recovery efforts.
Healthy North Coast Acting Chief Executive, Monika Wheeler, said feedback from consultation with local clinicians shaped the development of the program’s key initiatives.
‘Our primary health workforce has been the frontline for the health response to the pandemic for several years and continues to walk with our community through the flood recovery.
‘That is bound to take its toll, so we want to extend meaningful support to sustain the wellbeing of our primary health care providers in those areas still dealing with flood impacts,’ said Ms Wheeler.
Debrief and wellbeing for teams and individuals
Looking after yourself and your team following a flood event is an important part of the flood recovery process. Teams will have access to:
- Flexible funding to support bespoke team wellbeing initiatives.
- A face-to-face debrief and wellbeing program (with dinner) delivered by Michaela Killips, Principal Psychologist from Mullumbimby Psychology.
- Face-to-face and online (self-paced) sessions (with lunch or dinner) on Trauma Informed Care delivered by Phoenix Australia.
Education and training opportunities
Education and training have an important role in helping individuals and practices to provide effective support to flood-affected communities. Flood-resilient communities will be critical in an uncertain future of ‘accelerated’ climate change. Education and training opportunities include:
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- Sessions on PTSD screening and local referral pathways. These sessions will be delivered by a local psychologist, as part of Healthy North Coast’s Clinical Societies running in November and December.
- 2-hour online virtual workshop on Trauma-Informed Organisations: Supporting Community After Disaster Workshop delivered by Phoenix Australia and GPs with experience in the bushfire response, relief and recovery during 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires in Mallacoota.
Workforce support
Short-term workforce support is available for primary care services within flood-impacted communities. This support allows any individual (GP, nurse, administrator, allied health professional) to have a break, or enjoy their annual leave, knowing there will be cover while they are away.
The program was co-designed with local providers and recognises that multiple avenues will be needed to support requests across the region.
Find out more and register your interest here.