North Queensland general practice, pharmacy, and residential aged care home staff have participated in emergency planning training ahead of the upcoming cyclone and wet season.  

Demand for healthcare services increases during an emergency, making it essential for general practices and pharmacies to maintain their ability to provide critical help during emergencies. 

The training was developed and delivered by Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN), Townsville Hospital and Health Service (HHS), Townsville Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG), and the District Disaster Management Group (DDMG) to assist North Queensland health professionals prepare, respond, and recover from an emergency that may disrupt their usual operations.  

NQPHN Interim Chief Executive Officer Ben Tooth said general practices and pharmacies, and their teams, were at the heart of healthcare, especially during an emergency.  

“General practitioners, pharmacists, and health professionals, including those in residential aged care homes, are often the first point of contact for community members,” Mr Tooth said. 

“Emergency planning is about being prepared and knowing what to do in all disaster situations,” Mr Tooth said.  

“The recent training addressed a range of emergency responses, including bushfires, significant weather such as a cyclone or flood, like we have seen in recent years, and other health events including the pandemic.” 

The workshop covered disaster management arrangements, the stages of evacuation, prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery phases of emergency management, and cold chain management.  

“During previous emergencies, we know general practice and pharmacy teams have worked hard to provide people with the best care possible, which demonstrates their commitment to their communities,” Mr Tooth said. 

“Our role in an emergency is to liaise closely with primary care providers to support the District and Local Disaster Management Groups and Hospital and Health Services, so community members can access primary care throughout the response and recovery phases. 

“We would encourage all health professionals to update their key contact details with Northern Queensland Primary Health Network, review their website’s resource links, update their checklists and processes for responding to an emergency, and subscribe to the Northern Queensland PHN SMS Emergency Alert System.” 

North Queensland general practices, pharmacies, and aged care homes are invited to opt-in to the Northern Queensland PHN Emergency SMS Alert System. 

Mr Tooth said the 2023-2024 cyclones and the wet seasons, along with recent flooding, bushfires, and the pandemic have highlighted the crucial role of the Emergency SMS Alert System in supporting coordinated emergency response efforts. 

“The purpose of the SMS Alert System for health professionals is to provide an avenue for clear and immediate communications to healthcare providers that’s specific and localised to the relevant to the current emergency,” Mr Tooth said.