Summer preparedness in general practice

As summer approaches, it’s important for general practices to be ready for the challenges that extreme weather and natural disasters can bring.

HealthPathways Melbourne – Disaster Planning and Management suite

Our HealthPathways Melbourne Disaster Planning and Management suite (last reviewed in January 2025), offers comprehensive tools and guidance to support emergency preparedness. These resources cover:

• Managing general practice during a disaster
  • Access disaster contacts, emergency services, road closure updates, and animal welfare information.
• Post-natural disaster health
  • Guidance for patient care after major events.
• Preparing your practice
  • Includes links to the Emergency Response Planning Tool (ERPT), RACGP resources, practical scenarios (power outage and bushfire), and tips for creating an emergency kit.
• Preparing patients for a disaster
• Smoke inhalation

Emergency alerts over the holiday period

Subscribe to Victoria’s Chief Health Officer alerts and keep updated with current health issues facing the Victorian public and the health sector. Receive immediate email notifications when new alerts are issued, ensuring you remain well informed about public health conditions. Visit the Department of Health website.

Stay informed with the latest weather warnings for Victoria by visiting the Bureau of Meteorology’s Victorian Warnings Summary. Receive up-to-date information on severe weather conditions, including heatwaves, to help you stay prepared and safe. Visit the Bureau of Meteorology website.

Emergency preparedness resources for Practices

• Service continuity and emergency events in aged care | Australian Government Department of Health,
  Disability and Ageing
• Vic Emergency – Prepare and Get Ready – VicEmergency
• Subscribe to heat health warnings
• Emergency preparedness in residential aged care services
• The role and inclusion of general practitioners in evacuation centres
• Quality Improvement and management of Thunderstorm Asthma
• Checklist for mobile/outreach immunisation clinics or emergency storage of vaccines