Respond

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

For information on financial assistance and government grants, please visit the Queensland Government website.

For practices that may need to close

Service information for available, alternative urgent care pathways can be shared with patients, noting that services may be affected during the cyclone period based on localised flooding and leading to changes in closing times. Please check council, health service websites or social media. 

Patient’s who can’t get an appointment with their regular doctor can call 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84) 24hrs 7days a week.

✔ Medical advice anytime
✔ Guidance on prescriptions and medication access

Brisbane residents are able to receive ongoing monitoring, support and access to specialist health care professions to patients with a variety of conditions through the Metro North Virtual Ward team on 07 3074 2109, 7am to 7pm, 7 days a week, but if it is an emergency call 000.

Patients can access the Virtual Emergency Care Service by calling 13 43 25. 

• Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for clinical phone advice
• Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (UCCs), located in our region at Murrumba Downs, Northside (Kedron) and Morayfield 
• Minor Injury and Illness Clinics at Satellite Health Centres, located in our region at Kallangur, Caboolture and Bribie Island
• Queensland VECS (formerly Virtual ED), - VECS phone number for Queensland GPs only treating emergency conditions, call 1300 847 833. 
• additional hospital facilities information. 

FindCareFast can help to direct patients to their closest available care. 

Tips during the response phase

• Refer to the practice's emergency management plan.
• Communicate to patients any changes to access or open hours and/or reinforce continued access.
• Consider extending or offering alternative arrangements to accommodate changed or increase in patient demand.
• Follow alert and warning updates.
• Offer support to your local practices as agreed if you have the capacity to do so.

Useful Contacts

Energex provides live information and updates via its website. If you are experiencing a power outage, please contact Energex on 13 62 62.

Many areas throughout the Brisbane North region can experience flooding and roads can often be cut off or washed away – see which roads close to you are affected by a hazard, flooding, accident or closed via an interactive map.

The Practice Support team is here to provide assistance to practices experiencing a disaster, pandemic or emergency. Please reach out to our team via email or telephone if you require support.