Disaster Management for Communities
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.
New resource offers wellbeing support for those affected by Hunter Valley bushfires
Individuals affected by natural disasters such as bushfires, can experience social and emotional challenges in the weeks and months following the event.
A new resource, recently released, includes a range of information to support the wellbeing of people still recovering from the Cessnock area bushfires of December 2023.
The information resource, from the NSW Reconstruction Authority, has been carefully compiled to address the ongoing needs of those affected by the fires including healthcare, mental health support and crisis support.
Many of the services listed are free to access and include a range of personal counselling options that may be accessed by telephone or online.
Click here to download the resource
National crisis numbers:
If you are in crisis and need mental health support, there are several 24/7 crisis hotlines available:
Need Help? - Primary Health Network (thephn.com.au)
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:
Emotional support for bushfire affected communities
Bushfires can have a significant impact on the mental health and wellbeing of affected communities and individuals.
The PHN funds and supports a number of organisations to provide recovery services.
There are a range of services to assist no matter how you are feeling. Download our resource guides:
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
July 22 2024
New resource offers wellbeing support for those affected by Hunter Valley bushfires
A new resource, recently released, includes a range of information to support the wellbeing of people still recovering from the Cessnock area bushfires of December 2023.
June 27 2024
Important Update: Capacity Tracker® replaced with New Alert System
Effective 1 July 2024, the PHN discontinued the use of Capacity Tracker®. Introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, Capacity Tracker® was essential in managing infection control supplies and COVID-19 vaccination resources.
May 17 2024
Mid Coast Council invites local primary care providers to Emergency Services Workshop - Tuesday 11 June
MidCoast Council is hosting free workshops with emergency services to discuss how we can work together to be more prepared for future disasters.