Disaster Recovery
Financial Assistance
Government financial assistance may be available for individuals and businesses affected by disasters. For more information you can visit the National Emergency Management Agency, Disaster Assist Website or Service NSW websites.
Many financial institutions may offer people and businesses affected by disaster assistance. Contact your financial institution directly.
Making an Insurance Claim
Information to support you in making an insurance claim is available through the RACGP and RACGP - Managing emergencies in general practice and through the Insurance Council of Australia.
Seeking an extension to practice accreditation
If your practice’s accreditation is due to expire and you have been affected by a natural disaster or other emergency, you may be eligible for an extension. These requests are managed by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.
Exemptions to the telehealth 12 months rule in areas of natural disaster declaration
Patients in areas affected by natural disasters are now exempt from the existing relationship ("12-month rule") requirement for telehealth. This means patients don’t need to have had a face-to-face consult with a GP in the last 12 months to access MBS subsidised telehealth services.
A person is exempt from the "12-month rule” if, at the time of accessing a telehealth service, they are living in a local government area that is declared by a State or Territory Government to be a natural disaster area.
Psychological support
General Mental Health Resources
The Australian Psychological Society’s resource titled Psychological First Aid: A guide to supporting people affected by disaster has been developed for people working in disaster preparedness, response and recovery. It provides an overview of best practice in psychological first aid following disasters and other traumatic events.
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Community Trauma Toolkit
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Emerging Minds - provides important information, education and mental health resources to assist GPs when having conversations with patients about the impacts of disasters.
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Disaster Mental Health Hub
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Phoenix Australia - Information, resources and training for professionals who support individuals and communities experiencing the mental health impacts of disasters.
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Where to seek professional help
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RACGP GP support program
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The RACGP GP Support Program provides free and confidential psychological support to members.
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DRS4D
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DRS4DRS is an independent program providing confidential support and resources to doctors and medical students across Australia, by doctors
Confidential phone advice is available 24/7 for any doctor or medical student in Australia via each state/territory helpline and referral service.
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The Essential Network (TEN) for Health Professionals
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This online e-mental health hub, developed by the Black Dog Institute, connects frontline healthcare workers with services to help manage burnout and maintain good mental health.
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Helping Australian and New Zealand Nurses and Doctors (Hand-n-Hand) Peer Support
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Hand-n-Hand offers free confidential peer support for health professionals.
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CRANAplus Bush Support Service
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Free and confidential 24-hour/7-day-a-week telephone counselling service for rural and remote health practitioners.
The service is staffed by psychologists, including two Aboriginal psychologists.
CRANAplus membership is not required to access the service. Phone 1800 805 391.
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Community support services
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Other mental health support services available include:
Lifeline – 13 11 14
Beyondblue – 1300 224 636
Mensline – 1300 789 978
Kids helpline – 1800 551 800
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Community support services
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Other mental health support services available include:
Lifeline – 13 11 14
Beyondblue – 1300 224 636
Mensline – 1300 789 978
Kids helpline – 1800 551 800
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The RACGP has a comprehensive range of resources to assist you here RACGP - Natural disasters and here RACGP - Managing emergencies in general practice
For you patients:
Mental Health Help Website
The Mental Health Help website is a local directory of over 300 mainly mental health-based services. Services can be found by location, area of support (mental health, addiction support, domestic and family violence, etc.) and type of service (community and aged care, health service, social groups, crisis, and emergency support).
Medicare Mental Health
Medicare Mental Health phoneline is available for patients within our region who need mental health support. Patients can call 1800 595 212, Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 5:30pm to speak to a trained mental health professional from our region, who will guide them to the right mental health support for their needs.
We provide two Medicare Mental Health Centres, the Hawkesbury Medicare Mental Health Centre (open Monday to Saturday, excluding public holidays) and Penrith Medicare Mental Health Centre (open 7 days a week, 365 days a year including public holidays). Both Centres offer walk-in support, no GP referral or prior appointments needed.
headspace
headspace provides early intervention mental health support to young people aged 12-25 years old.
Promoting the wellbeing of young people, headspace deliver support across mental health, physical health, work and study and alcohol and other drug needs.
Other Services:
Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP): Coordinators link people to local mental health services and resources, educate workplaces and communities about mental health and wellbeing and respond in times of natural disasters and severe adversity.
Mental Health Disaster Recovery
Specialist mental health clinicians are based within the Lithgow and Windsor mental health teams and provide outreach services across the region as required.
They provide mental health triage and assessment, and then provide appropriate support using a stepped care approach.
You can find Local Mental Health Services here, Digital Mental Health Support here, Call a Crisis Helplines Here.
Recovery Assistance
During recovery from disasters Reconstruction NSW may establish local Recovery Centres or Recovery Assistance Points.
Find the nearest location or call Service NSW on 13 77 88.
Recovery Centres usually have Service NSW Business Specialist support in addition to a range of other services for individuals including:
- Services NSW and Reconstruction NSW assistance
- Immediate practical assistance including support with food, clothing and accommodation
- Help with replacing ID and personal documents
- Legal Assistance
- Insurance support and guidance
- Mental Health Support
- Clean up and waste assistance
- Charitable support
- Interpreter services
