The Flood Readiness - Are We Better Prepared series covers key organisations that play a vital role in pre-flood warnings and in the rescue & recovery after a major flood. We are asking those organisations to let us know how the 2022 floods and Flood Inquiry have changed their procedures and processes so people will experience better outcomes.

So we know what to expect when the unexpected happens next. Let's face it, we know it will.

Today, we look into Health and the role it plays during a disaster.

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When it comes to our health, as long as it is intact, we don’t think twice about it. However, if you have a health concern, or one develops, or an accident occurs, which is more likely in situations of duress, we can feel completely helpless without professional assistance.  

We approached the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) and asked a lot of questions about how our health system handled the 2022 floods and what they have done since to prepare for the unexpected. Maryanne Sewell, the Disaster Manager at NNSWLHD provided us with the following statement;

“A number of health services and facilities were directly affected during the 2022 floods in the Northern Rivers. These included temporary closures of several community health centres as well as some oral health, liver clinics, sexual health, BreastScreen, COVID-19 vaccination clinics and testing services.

“Health staff continue to care for patients in community settings through community nursing and hospital-in-the-home teams, and where possible, alternative service locations were established, and patients provided with phone support were clinically appropriate. 

“All hospitals and Emergency Departments remained open, and emergency surgery continued throughout the disaster. However, all non-urgent surgery was temporarily suspended, and patients were contacted to reschedule their procedures. Planned surgeries resumed in a staged approach at various sites from March 2022. 

“Ballina District Hospital was threatened by floodwaters and evacuated on March 1, with a makeshift hospital and emergency department established at Xavier Catholic College. With the assistance of emergency services, health staff moved 55 patients and hospital services over a four hour period. Services and patients were transferred back to Ballina District Hospital on March 3 when the flood risk had eased.”

Health issues arising from the floods 

“In the initial two weeks after the first flood there were around 50% more presentations for open wound and skin problems across our Emergency Departments than is usual for the time of year.

“Between March 28 to April 10, 2022, Lismore Base Hospital recorded 236 Emergency Department presentations which were reported as relating to the flood events, with the vast majority of these being recorded in the initial two weeks of the disaster, from February 28th to March 14. 

“Flood related presentations included people seeking treatment for wounds or injuries requiring medication or assistance with other care needs. 

“Public health messaging focused on raising awareness of the potential contaminants present in floodwater, the risks of gastroenteritis and skin infections, precautions around ensuring drinking water was safe and advice about how to clean up safely after the floods. There was also an increased risk of mosquito borne illness due to the stagnant water and humid weather in the weeks following the floods.”

Community support and recovery 

“Northern New South Wales Local Health District (NNSWLHD) has well established disaster management protocols and conducts scenario and desk based exercises at regular intervals to prepare staff, hospitals and services for responding to an emergency or disaster situation. Since the flood all hospitals sites and services have reviewed their emergency management plans, focusing on preparedness for any future events.

“In the 2022 floods, NNSWLHD established an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to coordinate our response as part of our standard disaster management protocol. The EOC included representatives from New South Wales Health, the state Preparedness and Response Unit and HealthShare. The health business unit is responsible for the resupply of health resources.

“Through the EOC, NNSWLHD was responsible for coordinating the health support in Flood Evacuation Centres, which were coordinated by the Department of Community and Justice. 

“Additional staff from other areas of New South Wales came to work in our health facilities and in the community providing medical and nursing care and mental health disaster recovery support. 

“A team of specialised Disaster Recovery Clinicians provided ongoing mental health support at Emergency Departments and in the community, working closely with the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program. Coordinators and Farmgate counsellors to ensure people were linked to mental health and practical support as quickly as possible.”

Post flood 

“NNSWLHD is working with health partners and emergency agencies in the region as part of a commitment to preparing for any future natural disasters. NNSWLHD is also working closely with Healthy North Coast to plan for future management of primary health care in the aftermath of a natural disaster. 

“NNSWLHD is represented on the Local Emergency Management Committee. This multi-agency committee is responsible for emergency management, governance and coordination across the district and promotes continuous improvement to the management of the disaster response in the region.”

Other stories in this series includes:

Part 1: Essential Energy 

Part 2: Communications - Telstra and Optus

Part 2: Communications - TPG Telecom and nbn

Part 3: Police and Fire + Rescue

Part 4: Critical Flood Information

Part 5: Animals

Part 6: Federal Government

Part 7: Charities

Part 8: Local Government

Part 9: SES / RFS