Australia’s summers bring more than sunshine. They bring heatwaves, bushfires, floods, and storms, all of which can have serious health impacts. For the third consecutive year, the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network (PHN) has launched its Summer Hazards Campaign, a resource designed to help primary care providers equip patients with lifesaving preparedness plans.
This campaign is more than just a reminder. It is a strategic effort to reduce risks for vulnerable groups, especially older Australians and people managing chronic conditions. By encouraging conversations between healthcare professionals and patients, the initiative ensures that families, caregivers, and communities have practical plans in place before emergencies strike.
Why Preparedness Matters for Australian Communities
Extreme weather is no longer a rare event. The Bureau of Meteorology has confirmed that Australia is experiencing longer and hotter summers, leading to record-breaking bushfires and widespread flooding. Primary care providers play a vital role in bridging the gap between medical advice and disaster readiness.
Many patients underestimate their vulnerability. Research shows that older Australians often delay evacuation during emergencies, increasing the risk of injury, displacement, or worse. An individualized emergency plan, tailored to health needs and lifestyle circumstances, can make the difference between safety and danger.
- Chronic disease management: Patients with conditions such as asthma, cardiovascular disease, or diabetes face heightened risks during smoky or extremely hot conditions.
- Mental health resilience: Natural disasters can worsen stress, anxiety, and depression, particularly in those with preexisting mental health challenges.
- Pets and service animals: Discussing emergency care for animals often opens the door for patients to engage in broader preparedness planning.
Preparedness is not only about survival. It is about preserving independence, dignity, and community connection. Primary healthcare providers, trusted by their patients, are uniquely positioned to initiate these critical conversations.
The Core Campaign Messages
The PHN’s Summer Hazards Campaign highlights three essential actions. These serve as guiding principles for patients and communities navigating the challenges of summer hazards.
- Be Prepared
- Develop a personal emergency plan that considers health needs, medications, and support systems.
- Ensure important documents, prescriptions, and essential supplies are easily accessible.
- Stay Informed
- Rely on official emergency channels such as NSW Rural Fire Service, SES, and Bureau of Meteorology updates.
- Use apps, radio, or SMS alerts to receive real-time information.
- Know Your Options
- Identify safe evacuation routes and shelters.
- Discuss transport and care arrangements with family, neighbors, or carers in advance.
These simple yet powerful steps form the backbone of resilience. Healthcare providers can support patients by distributing resources, reinforcing these messages, and personalizing strategies during consultations.
Table: Key Summer Hazards and Health Impacts
| Hazard Type | Health Risks | Preventive Actions for Patients |
|---|---|---|
| Heatwaves | Dehydration, heatstroke, cardiovascular strain | Stay hydrated, avoid peak heat, keep medications cool |
| Bushfires & Smoke | Respiratory illness, asthma flare-ups, anxiety | Prepare masks, stay indoors, manage medication supplies |
| Floods | Injury, infections, displacement stress | Prepare evacuation kits, secure medications and documents |
| Thunderstorms | Asthma (from thunderstorm triggers), injuries | Follow weather warnings, have inhalers ready |
| Power Outages | Loss of refrigerated medications, heat risks | Store backups, know local pharmacy access |
How Health Professionals Can Drive Change
Healthcare providers are not just treating conditions; they are shaping resilience. By using campaigns like Summer Hazards, clinics and practices can embed preparedness into routine care.
Conversations about disaster readiness can start small. Asking a patient about pet evacuation plans, for example, often leads naturally to discussions about personal medication management or family evacuation strategies. By normalizing these topics, providers empower patients to act early.
Another key element is resource availability. PHN offers free A5 flyers, available to practices that place orders before 31 October 2025. These flyers are designed to reinforce messages in waiting rooms and consultations. Providers can also log into Health Pathways to access disaster-preparedness resources such as “Preparing a Patient for Disaster” and “Post Natural Disaster Health.”
This approach integrates prevention with care, ensuring patients are not left unprepared when disasters strike.
Looking Ahead: Building Stronger, Safer Communities
The success of the Summer Hazards Campaign reflects a broader shift in healthcare: prevention as a core strategy. With climate change driving more frequent and intense hazards, the need for structured preparedness has never been greater.
Primary care providers are on the front line. Their trusted relationships with patients allow them to reinforce safety behaviors, build awareness, and strengthen community resilience. At the same time, campaigns like this highlight the role of healthcare systems in addressing not only illness but also the wider social and environmental factors that shape health outcomes.
As Australia heads into another challenging summer, collaboration between providers, communities, and public health networks will be essential. The message is clear: be prepared, stay informed, and know your options. These actions save lives, protect families, and build stronger, more connected communities.
Trending FAQ
Q1. Why is disaster preparedness a health issue?
Disasters often worsen chronic conditions, disrupt access to medicines, and increase risks such as respiratory illness, heatstroke, and mental health stress. Preparedness helps mitigate these risks.
Q2. What role do primary care providers play?
They guide patients in tailoring emergency plans, provide trusted health advice, and connect communities to reliable resources and services.
Q3. Who is most vulnerable during summer hazards?
Older Australians, people with chronic illnesses, those with limited mobility, and communities in rural or high-risk areas face the greatest risks.
Q4. How can families prepare together?
Families should create an emergency plan, pack an evacuation kit with essential health items, and agree on communication strategies in case they are separated.
Q5. Where can providers access resources?
Resources are available through the PHN Summer Hazards Campaign page, Health Pathways portals, and local emergency services’ online platforms.
Q6. What simple steps can patients take immediately?
They can review medication supplies, prepare a small emergency kit, download official alert apps, and talk with their GP about individual risks.
Q7. How does preparedness benefit mental health?
Having a plan reduces uncertainty, increases confidence, and lowers stress levels during crises, helping communities recover more quickly after disasters.
