Making the best use of GPs in emergencies and natural disasters
AMA Position Statement on Involvement of GPs in Disaster and Emergency Planning 2012
AMA Position Statement on Supporting GPs in the Immediate Aftermath of a Natural Disaster 2012
The AMA today released two new Position Statements outlining the role of GPs in emergencies and natural disasters and how best to support GPs in these situations.
The AMA Position Statement on Involvement of GPs in Disaster and Emergency Planning 2012 has been developed to help policymakers at all levels of government and medical practitioners across Australia be more aware of the issues involved in natural disaster planning and emergency management, and the role of GPs in these situations.
The AMA Position Statement on Supporting GPs in the Immediate Aftermath of a Natural Disaster 2012 is aimed at helping those involved in planning the immediate recovery from a natural disaster or emergency to focus on the needs of general practices in the immediate aftermath of such events.
AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that GPs are at the forefront of providing care in a crisis.
“When a crisis hits and there are injuries, GPs and other doctors make themselves available to see their patients, patients not able to see their own doctors, backfill positions in hospitals, provide on-the-ground assistance in emergency locations and in emergency accommodation, and they treat the walking wounded – both the rescued and the rescuers.
“We saw this recently in the Queensland floods and the Victorian bushfires.
“Despite this strong record of volunteerism, the role of GPs in emergency response situations is not well understood by governments, and GPs have not had enough input into disaster planning.
“The AMA would like to see a more formal process of involving GPs in planning for emergency or disaster situations.
“We also want to see coordinated planning to ensure that primary health care services remain active in the aftermath of disasters, including when GPs, their families, and their general practices are victims of natural disasters,” Dr Hambleton said.
The AMA Position Statement on Involvement of GPs in Disaster and Emergency Planning 2012 is here
The AMA Position Statement on Supporting GPs in the Immediate Aftermath of a Natural Disaster 2012 is here
13 September 2012
CONTACT: Kirsty Waterford 02 6270 5464 / 0427 209 753