Australia overall experiences a range of emergency events like 'natural disasters' including bushfires, floods, severe storms, earthquakes and landslides. These events cause great financial hardship for individuals and communities and can result in loss of life. There are also more localised events such as power outages, loss of systems, loss of premises or even intruders to think about.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has updated its predictions of a La Niña event through 2023. As such the Bureau’s three-month climate prediction indicates a “high chance” of above-average rainfall for most of eastern Australia. With the country already soaked from heavy rain through winter, the BOM is warning of “elevated flood risk” for eastern Australia and into other regions.
It is crucial that general practices can continue providing essential services during emergencies. To do this, it is imperative that they have an up-to-date emergency response plan so that they are prepared, well stocked and ready to respond to any crisis.
Country SA PHN are funding a program to provide fully subsidised access to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) online emergency response planning tool (ERPT) for GP practices across your PHN region.
The ERPT is the recommended tool to meet the 5th edition of the GP standards for accreditation.
The response and uptake for the tool has been overwhelming and there are limited licences available and funding will cease on 30th June 2023. For more information and registration of your expression of interest in receiving the Emergency Response Planning Tool (ERPT) please email support@countrysaphn.com.au.
