Emergency Response Planning Tool (ERPT) Licence

In recent years, the Hunter New England and Central Coast area has been affected by various disasters, severe weather events, mass casualty events and the pandemic. A hot and dry summer is forecast with an increased risk of heatwaves, bushfires, smoke, and drought. In addition, cybersecurity incidents have become more prevalent across the sector, and staff shortages and frequent turnovers may make emergency planning processes more difficult.

In preparation for emergencies and disasters and to reduce their vulnerability, a practice needs to safeguard its own staff and business.

What is the ERPT Licence?

The RACGP Standards for General Practice (5th edition) require practices to have a contingency plan for adverse and unexpected events, including pandemics. The Emergency Response Planning Tool (ERPT) is an online resource supporting general practices to effectively plan, prepare, respond, and recover from the impacts of emergencies and disasters.

The PHN is proud to announce that it is supporting Hunter New England and Central Coast General Practices by making available 100 free one-year licenses for the ERPT tool, to strengthen their long-term disaster preparedness and resilience.

How does it work?

Practices will be able to use the system via an internet browser on a computer. Users are guided through a series of relevant modules, simplified with pre-populated information. Practices can complete it in stages or in one sitting. When finished, you will have a personalized practice emergency response plan. The toolkit’s information is updated regularly so you can rest assured that your business continuity plan is based on the most current available evidence and recommendations.

Grants for ERPT Licences

The grant will consist of a registration link to enable a log in for the annual license which includes access, all management, maintenance and support for 12 months for the ERPT.

The PHN will not continue to fund the ERPT after the 12 months. At the conclusion of the 12 months, general practices can choose to continue to use the ERPT by paying for ongoing licence fees, or they can choose to discontinue the licence and use the pdf plan created as a starting point for their own ongoing plan revisions.

How To Apply

The grants for the licences will be managed via an open round for general practices on the PHN’s grants portal SmartyGrants and awarded on a first in basis to eligible practices. The rounds will close once all 100 ERPT licences have been allocated.

Eligibility

• General Practices in the Hunter New England and Central Coast PHN catchment.
• New users.
• Existing users: Practices who already use the ERPT toolkit are also eligible to apply, and will receive another 12 months on top of their existing license,
• For multisite practices, every practice location can receive one license. Please note that you will need to submit separate applications for each site.
• General Practices that are intending to close or change ownership within the next 12 months are ineligible to apply

For more information please read the grant guidelines available here.

If you have any questions regarding the grant process, please contact the PHN Grants team on grants@thephn.com.au.

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