Disaster Management for Communities
Last updated November 17, 2023
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In an emergency, please contact 000.
Disaster and Emergency Support
Over the past few years, the Hunter New England and Central Coast has been affected by various disasters, including floods, bushfires, drought, the Covid-19 pandemic and a rodent plague. The PHN has compiled the following resources to assist you in a disaster or emergency.
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (UCCs)
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (UCCs) give you and your family more options to see a doctor or nurse when you need urgent, but not life-threatening, care. Visit Health Direct to find an urgent care clinic near you:
HealthDirect
Primary care providers can also be affected by disasters and might not be able to provide the regular services if impacted. Please check with your provider if they are open or offering telehealth services when a region is affected by a disaster or emergency event.
Visit HealthDirect to find local primary care providers:
Crisis Support
If you require crisis support please contact any of the 24/7 crisis support helplines:
6 Tips for Resilience
The PHN commissioned Relationships Australia to produce this video showcasing six tips for building resilience.
Other Disaster and Emergency Support Services
Hunter New England PatientInfo
Health information portal
Hunter New England PatientInfo is a health information portal to help you understand and manage your health conditions.
Central Coast PatientInfo
Health information portal
Central Coast PatientInfo is a health information portal to help you understand and manage your health conditions.
Australian Red Cross
Crisis management
Helpful resources to prepare for an emergency, for disaster recovery, and proven strategies to cope with a crisis.
National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
Recovery support
Recovery support for families and communities across Australia following events such as floods, bushfires, cyclones, drought, and other hardships like the COVID-19 pandemic.
NSW Reconstruction Authority
Information and Resources
Important information and resources about disaster preparedness, response and recovery in the NSW context.
Bushfire.io
natural disaster map
Natural disaster map with national warning and incident maps, hotspots, wind overlays, notifications
Collaborating 4 Inclusion
Emergency Preparedness Toolkit
Person Centred Emergency Preparedness Toolkit - enables people to self-assess their preparedness, capabilities and support needs and develop a personal emergency plan. Tailored for people living with a disability.
Care 2 Prepare
preparedness and resilience
Pilot program in Gunnedah and the Central Coast - create an individualised, person-centred plan to enhance your own preparedness and resilience in the event of disasters
Rural Health Connect
Psychology
Rural Health Connect is a platform that links people to psychologists over video and phone calls.
Link2home
Homelessness Information
Link2home is the statewide homelessness information and referral telephone service. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year.
Ask Izzy
Support Connect
Ask Izzy is a website that connects people in need with housing, a meal, money help, family violence support, counselling and much more.
Hunter Homelessness Connect Community Services Directory
Information
Information on support services in your local region.
Disaster Recovery Wellbeing Support
The NSW Government has developed the guides below listing mental health services available across the region.
Latest Disaster Management News
November 28 2023
PHN Summer Hazards campaign urges community to think of their health this upcoming Summer
Forecasters are warning the upcoming summer season will be both hotter and dryer than in recent years. With that in mind, the PHN is urging Hunter, New England and Central Coast residents to be prepared, stay informed and know their options.
November 20 2023
Is your practice disaster ready? The PHN is funding the Emergency Response Planning Tool for General Practices
PHN is funding 100 one-year-licenses for the RACGP accredited ERPT tool
September 26 2023
Preparing for the effects of drought. Information for primary care providers.
While the business risk for primary care providers may be much lower, their businesses may still be exposed to drought mitigation efforts, and they may be affected by secondary disaster impacts of drought such as increased need for mental health support and suicide prevention for affected patients.