Member Bulletin
General practitioners have a key role to play in the provision of primary health care services in the event of an emergency in Victoria. During and after the 2009 Victorian bushfires the Victorian Department of Health established field primary care clinics at a number of sites to provide primary care services to affected communities where access to usual care was limited or nonexistent.
Dear Member,
Please find below a communication from the Victorian Department of Health:
General practitioners have a key role to play in the provision of primary health care services in the event of an emergency in Victoria. During and after the 2009 Victorian bushfires the Victorian Department of Health established field primary care clinics at a number of sites to provide primary care services to affected communities where access to usual care was limited or nonexistent.
These clinics were established in semi-rigid tents and held supplies and equipment sufficient to support the provision of primary medical services. Hundreds of GPs volunteered to work alongside nurses and paramedics in these clinics. Feedback from GPs who were deployed was very positive; many welcomed the opportunity to provide their assistance and expertise to vulnerable individuals and communities in a time of disaster. GPs felt well-supported in the field clinic teams and a very high level of goodwill and cooperation was observed.
This document provides advice about the role of divisions and general practice in participating in local responses to major emergencies particularly in preparation for the possibility of bushfires in the summer of 2009/10.
Following an emergency, communities may have an increased need for primary health care while other communities may have reduced access to general practice - we saw this in the February 2009 bushfires.
Victoria's State Health Emergency Response Plan now acknowledges the important role of general practice in emergency responses. Depending on circumstances, this may be affected through increased services provided through usual general practice, or it may involve the deployment of GPs to other clinics (to support increased demand) or to temporary Field Primary Care Clinics. Eastern Ranges GP Association will take a lead in recruiting and coordinating the GP response in an emergency.
Eastern Ranges GP Association
Eastern Ranges GP Association holds comprehensive information about the GPs who practice in our boundaries. In the event of a health emergency we expect to be able to make contact with our member GPs, to communicate information as it emerges and call on those GPs willing to assist. We will work closely with the Department of Health and with other local services in doing this.
Field primary care clinics
While the first response will always be to build on local general practice, some emergencies may require Field Primary Care Clinics if general practices are not able to cope with demand or if they are not available. In this case, willing GPs and other general practice staff will be sought. A nominal daily allowance will be paid to GPs and other staff by the Department of Health to assist their participation. Timeframes for participation will be determined by the amount of time volunteers have available and the nature of the emergency. Field primary care clinics are a short-term response so lengthy participation is not expected.
Scope of practice
GPs who register their interest in supporting such a response will not be expected to provide care outside their usual scope of practice. In February 2009, for example, common problems encountered were:
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minor lacerations and other trauma
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asthma
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superficial burns requiring dressings
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COPD
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foreign bodies in eyes
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respiratory illness caused by smoke inhalation
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animal bites
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eye irritation
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viral and other infectious illness (gastroenteritis, URTI, AOM).
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replacement of prescriptions for chronic conditions (eg HT, arthritis)
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GPs were supported by skilled nurses with experience in community nursing. Counselling and other mental health services were available onsite also, to support the provision of psychological first aid. Patients with more acute or serious needs were able to be transported to hospital by ambulance.
Supplies
A GP attending a Field Primary Care Clinic or an extended practice is expected to bring with them a prescription pad. It is desirable that a fully stocked Doctor's bag also be brought, but it is not expected that all GPs will be able to do this. Personal equipment such as stethoscope and auroscope will also be useful.
Field Primary Care Clinics will be well equipped with medical supplies and provisions for replacement as needed. Equipment on site will include: dressings, sterile surgical packs (for suturing, management of superficial trauma, removal of foreign bodies, etc), eye wash kits, bandages, nebulisers, spacers, needles and syringes, basic vaccines (including TetTox), gloves and masks.
A limited supply of medications should also be available including analgesics, anti-inflammatories, antihypertensives, some benzodiazepines, prednisolone, bronchodilators, and a range of antibiotics. Local arrangements will be made to enable prescriptions to be dispensed. Provisions for medical record keeping will be in place at each of the clinics.
Further information
If you require further information, please contact Kristin Michaels, Chief Executive Officer, on 9871 1000.