Health Alerts and Disaster Management Resources

Responding to the bushfire crisis

For GPs, the NSW Rural Doctors Network is co-ordinating with partners, including AMA (NSW), to accept expressions of interest in volunteering to help.

GPs are being sought for work both during the immediate crisis and in the months ahead as communities rebuild.

RDN has nominated three main phases in which this help will be necessary and is looking for volunteers for these time periods:

• Emergency response (January 2020)
• Medium term (February - June 2020)
• Long term (Post June 2020)

While we know there is an immediate need and interest, it’s going to be even more important to consider what happens after.

You can find more information on that and the expression of interest form here.

The RDN will also be working to co-ordinate information about what is happening in local communities and all of the involved organisations will be working together on an ongoing basis.

Bushfire crisis resources

The NSW and Federal Governments have created resources for doctors that may prove useful during the bushfire crisis.

Bushfires and smoke

Bushfire smoke is continuing to cause poor air quality throughout the state, NSW Health provided this advice to GPs before Christmas.

Information on damaged or lost medicine and prescription information for both health professionals and the public can be found here.

Extreme Heat

NSW Health provides information for health practitioners on heat-related illnesses here.

It also provides information for the general public here and it might be useful to provide to your patients if they have questions.

Mental health advice for Australians returning from disaster-affected areas

The Federal Government has issued information for people returning from disaster-affected areas.

This advice is framed as being for people returning from natural disasters overseas but the information and the contact points listed are also potentially useful for domestic bushfires as well.

Medical Benevolent Association

The Medical Benevolent Association of NSW (MBANSW) has extended its services to AMA (NSW) members, should they need financial assistance and support during this bushfire disaster.

The MBANSW's social work team provides confidential counselling and short-term financial assistance during crises, illness, impairment and grief.

If you would like more information or would like to make a referral, please contact MBANSW on 02 9987 0504 or via email.