Topic: Disaster

Heatwave season is here. It’s essential to prepare at-risk patients for extreme temperatures by implementing strategies to reduce risk. Prolonged heat can significantly impact vulnerable groups, including older adults, young children and those with chronic conditions.

Here are some key points to discuss with your patients:

• stay hydrated: encourage patients to drink water regularly, even if they don’t feel thirsty
• avoid the sun: advise limiting outdoor activities during peak heat hours (10am to 4 pm)
• keep cool: suggest using fans, air conditioning, or visiting cool spaces like libraries or shopping centres
• recognise early signs of heat stress: educate them on symptoms such as dizziness, headaches or excessive sweating
• check medications: review medications which may increase the risk of dehydration or heat intolerance

Support your patients by sharing trusted resources, discussing their individual risk factors, and providing practical advice to stay safe and healthy.

We have also created two factsheets about preparing for a heatwave and the effect of heatstroke, which are available on the Health Resource Directory website. These factsheets have been translated into Arabic, Simplified Chinese and Vietnamese, and are available as audio versions too.

View or download the following helpful resources to share with patients:

Preparing for a heatwave factsheet

Heatstroke factsheet

Clinical guidance available on HealthPathways.

 

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This article appeared in Practice Pulse on Wednesday, 26 November 2025. If you are a GP, practice nurse or practice manager in South Western Sydney and do not get the weekly Practice Pulse email, speak to your Practice Support Officer.

Understanding flood and storm health risks

Flood and storm health risks can affect your safety and wellbeing. Knowing what to do before, during and after severe weather can help you stay protected.

Here are some simple tips for looking after your health and wellbeing during these challenging times.

Preparing for floods and storms

Create an emergency plan:

• Create a family emergency plan with evacuation routes, emergency contacts and a safe meeting place using the SES NSW online emergency planning tool.

Prepare an emergency kit:

• Pack essential items such as bottled water, non-perishable food, first aid supplies, medications, flashlights, batteries and important documents in a waterproof container.

Stay informed:

• Monitor weather updates and warnings through local news, the Bureau of Meteorology website and emergency services alerts.

Protect your home:

• Raise electrical appliances and furniture above potential flood levels.
• Clear gutters, downpipes and drains to reduce the risk of water damage.

Prepare for evacuation:

• Identify the nearest evacuation centres and plan for pet care, as many centres may not accommodate animals.

Staying safe during floods and storms

Avoid contact with floodwaters:

• Floodwaters often carry harmful substances, including sewage and chemicals. Avoid walking, swimming, or driving through them to reduce the risk of injury or illness.

Follow emergency alerts:

• Stay informed through local authorities and emergency services. Follow evacuation orders promptly to ensure your safety.

Use safe drinking water:

• Flooding can contaminate water supplies. Drink bottled water or boil tap water for at least one minute before using it for drinking, cooking or brushing your teeth.

Practice good hygiene:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and clean water after contact with floodwaters, before eating and after using the toilet to reduce the risk of infection. Maintaining hygiene helps reduce common flood and storm health risks like gastroenteritis and skin infections.

Protect yourself from thunderstorm asthma and respiratory conditions:

• If you have asthma or another respiratory condition, take extra precautions during floods and storms.
• Stay indoors with windows and doors closed during thunderstorms or high-pollen seasons to minimise exposure to allergens.
• Use air purifiers if available and avoid areas with mould or dampness.
• Follow your Asthma Action Plan or respiratory management plan, and always carry your reliever medication.

Recovery and clean-up after floods and storms

Clean up safely:

• Wear protective gear, such as gloves, boots and masks, while cleaning.
• Remove debris and mud, then disinfect surfaces using diluted bleach or other disinfectants as per product instructions. For more information on how to disinfect, visit NSW Health Staying Healthy During and After Flood.

Handle food and water safely:

• Dispose of any food or beverages which have been exposed to floodwater, including canned items.
• Clean and disinfect utensils, cookware and kitchen surfaces before use.

Monitor your health:

• Stay alert to signs of illness linked to flood and storm health risks, including fever, diarrhoea or respiratory issues. Consult a GP if you feel unwell.
• Prevent mosquito bites by wearing long-sleeved clothing, using insect repellents and removing standing water around your home.

Check for electrical hazards:

• Avoid using electrical appliances or outlets until they have been checked and deemed safe by a qualified electrician.

Take care of mental wellbeing:

• Speak to your GP.
• The aftermath of floods and storms can be emotionally draining. Stay connected with friends and family, or explore mental health services commissioned by SWSPHN.
  • Call Head to Health on 1800 959 212 for mental health support.
  • Service hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am–5pm (closed public holidays).

Additional resources

At-risk community members can prepare using the resources below:

Staying Healthy During and After Floods | NSW Health

Prepare for a Flood | NSW SES

Prepare for a Storm | NSW SES

Storm and Flood Preparation and Recovery | Service NSW

Thunderstorm Asthma | NSW Health

Asthma Triggers – Thunderstorm Asthma | Asthma Australia

Visit the Health Resource Directory for essential natural disaster health advice. Guidance is available in English, Vietnamese, Simplified Chinese and Arabic.

 

Being prepared and staying informed can reduce the impact of flood and storm health risks on you and your family.

To learn more, visit Your health matters in a disaster

Training is available to help GPs better prepare for natural disasters like bushfires and flood. 

South Western Sydney Local Health District is holding Major Incident Emergency Management Medical Support (MIMMS) Training. 

MIMMS is a globally recognised training program. It teaches a systematic approach to a multiple casualty incident. This approach can be applied to any major incident. The emphasis is on scene management. 

The course is based on developing the practical skills health professionals can use in management of health and casualties in a disaster or major incident. 

The MIMMS approach provides consistency and ensures responders are prepared and understand the operational management structure they are working within, both inside the hospital and out in the field. 

The training will be provided free of charge. 

• 30 May 2025– Education Centre (Campbelltown Hospital)  

• 26 September 2025 – Lecture Theatre (Bowral Hospital)  

• 14 November 2025 – Ngara Education Centre (Liverpool Hospital) 

Find out more

Are you ready for one of our hottest summers yet?

Australians are familiar with hot summers, but this year, the Bureau of Meteorology predicts one of the hottest summers on record.

Extreme heat poses significant dangers, especially for people who:

• work outdoors or in hot, poorly ventilated spaces
• are aged 65 years or older
• have compromised immune systems.

Keep yourself and your loved ones safe this summer by learning how to prevent and spot the signs of heat-related illness.

Wollondilly Shire has been confronted with more than its fair share of natural disasters in the past five years.

The Wollondilly Health Alliance – a partnership of the three levels of government – has developed a practical guide to support our community in planning for their health needs, in particular chronic health conditions, during future emergencies.

Health Resilience: Be Ready for a Disaster was developed in consultation with GPs, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia and disaster experts.

It includes information such as:

• How to access your prescription medication if you’ve had to evacuate quickly
• Steps to manage chronic conditions like diabetes
• Ways to get healthcare when you can’t see your regular GP
• Tips to look after your mental health in stressful situations
• Information on the Next of Kin program if you live alone

The Wollondilly Health Alliance is a formal agreement between Wollondilly Shire Council, South Western Sydney Local Health District and South Western Sydney PHN.

It was formed to improve the health and wellbeing of the Wollondilly community by taking a collaborative approach to identifying and advocating for the health services needed to support a growing population; sharing expertise, skills and resources; and better coordinating the local community’s preparedness for, and response to natural disasters.

Wollondilly Shire Council Chief Executive Officer, Ben Taylor, said the council was pleased to be working with its partners in the alliance to support the health needs of our community members during emergency events.

“Recent natural disasters in our shire, including bushfires, floods and storms have highlighted the importance of being prepared, and this booklet will provide helpful information to make sure everyone has the best opportunity for a positive outcome.”

South Western Sydney Local Health District Director of Population Health, Mandy Williams, said as natural and man-made disasters could occur unexpectedly, having a clear, actionable plan to support your health was critical.

“This booklet was a collaborative project between Wollondilly Health Alliance partners and is a vital tool for helping residents prepare for and navigate the challenges of a disaster, ensuring that their health needs are met even in the most challenging circumstances.”

South Western Sydney PHN Chief Executive Officer, Dr Keith McDonald PhD, said natural disasters could make it harder to manage chronic health conditions, but too often planning for these health needs was overlooked amid all the other preparations which needed to be made.

“This new guide provides easy-to-follow steps which you can take to plan for your health needs, just as you plan evacuation routes and how you’ll communicate, stock emergency food and water supplies, and pack valuables and insurance information,” he said.

An online version of Health Resilience: Be Ready for a Disaster can be downloaded from the Wollondilly Shire Council website, disaster-resilience-booklet.pdf (nsw.gov.au). Residents can pick up a physical copy of the guide at the Wollondilly Library and at council’s Administration Building on Menangle Street, Picton.

Caption:

From left: Ben Neville (SWSPHN) and Alyssa Horgan (SWSPHN), Stephanie Rennie (SWSLHD), Vickie Tierney (council), Wollondilly Mayor Matt Gould, Michelle Sheehan (council), Mandy Williams (SWSLHD) and SWSPHN CEO, Dr Keith McDonald PhD, at Illuminate Wollondilly where the booklet was launched on 21 September.

Natural disasters like bushfires and floods can make it harder to manage chronic health conditions. That’s why South Western Sydney PHN, in partnership with Campbelltown City Council, Wollondilly Shire Council, and Wingecarribee Shire Council, has created  localised, easy-to-follow guides to help you plan for your health during emergencies.

 

Why do you need a health disaster plan?

You may already have a disaster plan for your property, but have you considered your health needs when disaster strikes? Whether it’s managing medication, accessing healthcare, or protecting your mental health, these guides can help you prepare.

 

What’s inside the guides?

• How to access your prescription medication if you’ve had to evacuate quickly
• Steps to manage chronic conditions like diabetes or asthma
• Ways to get healthcare when you can’t see your regular GP
• Tips to look after your mental health in stressful situations
• Information on the Next of Kin program if you live alone

 

Get your health disaster guide

Contact your local council to find out where you can pick up a printed guide or download the online version below:

Campbelltown City Council

Wollondilly Shire Council

Wingecarribee Shire Council

 

Stay prepared—your health matters, especially in a disaster.

 

For more information on preparing for a disaster go to Your health matters in a disaster