Recover

Ex-tropical Cyclone Alfred - public health information

Metro North Public Health Unit will maintain service over coming days, but anticipates reduced capacity due to TC Alfred. Please read their advice which relates to vaccine management and to immunisation for people affected by TC Alfred. 

Environmental conditions after extreme weather events like TC Alfred increase the risk for infectious diseases. Skin infections, diarrhoeal disease, respiratory infections and mosquito-borne diseases are more common after cyclones and floods in Queensland. Please read the Metro North Public Health Unit advice. 

To help the community find available health services during and after the natural disaster via the Healthdirect Service Finder, If your service is impacted – closed, reduced hours, reduced service offerings – please update your clinic listing as soon as possible. For troubleshooting support, please refer the to the user account FAQs or contact nhsd@healthdirect.org.au.

If you have you been impacted by Tropical Cyclone Alfred in South East Queensland and need assistance, help is available. Please contact the 24/7 Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 to speak to a team member who will help you access available supports in your local area. If you are experiencing emotional stress, the dedicated Community Recovery Lifeline Hotline is also available to provide qualified disaster counselling. Call the Lifeline Hotline on 1800 116 671, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

The Queensland Health Immunisation Program (QHIP) have recommenced vaccine order processing for the state. Please note that due to the impacts from Tropical Cyclone Alfred, some deliveries may not be possible or delayed due to road closures, power outages, localised flooding, and staffing shortages. QHIP is experiencing a temporary increase in the number of vaccine orders being received, which may result in longer than expected delivery timeframes. All vaccine orders will be delivered in accordance with cold chain requirements.

If you have experienced a cold chain breach, please complete the cold chain breach reporting form and email it to QHIP-ADMIN@health.qld.gov.au. VSPs affected by a cold chain breach will be suspended from ordering until the breach has been resolved by your local Public Health Unit.

Staff and practitioner wellbeing

General Practice access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

To help support general practices following ex-tropical cyclone Alfred, Brisbane North PHN is offering free access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to all staff working in a general practice in the North Brisbane and Moreton Bay region. EAP provides a high-quality, short-term, professional counselling service to assist with personal and work-related issues. This is a confidential service, and no identifying information is reported back to Brisbane North PHN or any other entity. Access to the service is available from 17 March 2025 until 30 June 2025.

To access this support, call 1800 808 374, state that you are accessing this service through Brisbane North PHN and identify which general practice you work for. Consultations can also be booked online. Watch What to expect when you contact Assure for more information.
 

Financial assistance

Queensland Government financial and housing supports are available for people affected by the flooding events and other natural disasters. To access support please visit the website or phone the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349. For information on financial assistance and government grants, please visit the Queensland Government website.

Providing and accessing care and support

Patients in areas affected by natural disaster are now exempt from the existing relationship (12-month rule) requirement for telehealth. This means patients don’t need to have had a face-to-face consult with a GP in the last 12 months to access MBS subsidised telehealth services.

A person is exempt from the 12-month rule if, at the time of accessing a telehealth service, they are living in a local government area that is declared by a State or Territory Government to be a natural disaster area.

Distress, denial and disbelief are common reactions people may show for days and sometimes up to weeks after a disaster. In the initial hours and days, people may be stunned and dazed, particularly in response to a sudden and devastating disaster.

During the first consultation with an impacted patient, GPs are advised to:

1. Listen, comfort and quietly accept information.
2. Ensure survival, safety and security.
3. Orient towards goals.

Doctors may be directly impacted by disasters and need to look after their own health and wellbeing. Doctors may also become overloaded by the traumatic experiences of others.

Early indicators that a doctor is affected by the traumatic experiences of their patients may include:

• heightened response to the patient.
• increased levels of arousal (sleep disturbance)
• avoidance (includes increased alcohol use).

To avoid being overwhelmed, doctors should consider:

• discussing distressing or difficult experiences with colleagues
• limiting their exposure to a tolerable level
• maintaining good general health with regular exercise, good nutrition and sleep habits
• seeking help if needed.

Community support services

Tips to support recovery

• Review and identify lessons.
• Communicate with patients about return to normal business hours and services.
• Connect with and refer to local social and community support agencies.
• Identify and reach out to patients with increased vulnerability factors.
• Identify community population health needs post disaster and develop campaigns to address emerging needs e.g. focus on mental health assessments.