Northern NSW Local Health District said all planned surgery in the next two days March 6–7 will be rescheduled.
Outpatient services will be temporarily suspended over the next two days.
NNSWLHD is activating its Emergency Operations Centre and emergency management plans and these temporary changes enable the health district to prioritise the emergency medical response.
All planned surgery and outpatient services will be postponed and rescheduled for as soon as possible.
Urgent cancer treatment, including chemotherapy, will be brought forward to Thursday morning.
Hospital in the Home services, including palliative care, will temporarily stop taking referrals.
Patient cases will be reviewed and strategies put in place to facilitate care while not conducting home visits over this time.
Wherever possible, patients have been discharged from facilities across the health district where clinically appropriate.
Northern NSW Local Health District chief executive Tracey Maisey said, ““We are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.”
“All necessary steps are being taken to prepare for this major event, including ensuring our facilities are stocked with sufficient medication, food and linen supplies, with contingencies in place for potential power and communication outages.”
Helpful resources
If you or someone you know needs specialist mental health care, please call the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511. It is a free service operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you need crisis support, please call Lifeline Australia at any time on 13 11 14.
Children and young people can call Kids Helpline at any time on 1800 55 1800 or chat online at kidshelpline.com.au
For non-crisis support, call beyondblue on 1300 22 46 36.
For free health advice anytime day or night, call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
This information was provided by the NNSWLHD.