Emergency Preparedness in Primary Care

Project Overview

Emergencies can take many forms, from bushfires, storms and extreme heat to pandemics, cyber incidents, power outages and other disruptions that affect healthcare services. Being prepared helps practices respond effectively, support patients and communities, and maintain continuity of care during challenging circumstances.

Capital Health Network supports primary care providers to strengthen emergency preparedness through locally relevant information, resources and education. Explore this page to test your knowledge with the True or False activity, complete a short Emergency Preparedness Check-In & Feedback Survey, watch recordings of previous CHN education webinars, and discover Did You Know? facts to help build preparedness and resilience in your practice.

For more information about CHN's role in emergency preparedness and response in the ACT, click the button below.

Learn more

Emergency Preparedness Check-In: True or False?

Click on the flip cards below to test your knowledge of emergency preparedness in primary care. Explore real-world scenarios, challenge your assumptions, and discover practical tips to help you prepare for disruptions that may affect your practice, patients and community.

Your Results

✅ 8-9 Correct: Emergency Ready
You have a strong understanding of emergency preparedness and how to support continuity of care during disruptions.

⚠️ 5-7 Correct: Building Confidence
You are on the right track. Explore the resources below to strengthen your knowledge and preparedness.

🔄 0-4 Correct: Time for a Preparedness Check-Up
Review the resources and discuss emergency arrangements with your team to build confidence and capability.

If your practice loses power, internet and phones during a major storm, the first step is to activate your Emergency/Business Continuity Plan

✅ Answer: True

Source: Capital Health Network, QuIK Tip: Summer Planning and...

If a patient evacuates without their regular medicines, they should wait until they can see their usual GP before obtaining replacements.

❌ Answer: False

Correct message: Health professionals should help patients safely...

During a bushfire emergency in ACT, primary care services should consider air quality impacts, vulnerable patients, alternative care options and workforce disruptions.

✅ Answer: True

Source: Capital Health Network, QuIK Tip: Summer Planning and Disaster...

Keeping software updated, using strong passwords and multi-factor authentication, backing up data and being alert to phishing attempts can help protect your practice from cyber incidents.

✅ Answer: True

Source: Capital Health Network | Digital Health - Cyber Security

A patient who is still experiencing significant distress and difficulty functioning several weeks after an emergency may benefit from further assessment and ongoing support.

✅ Answer: True

Ongoing distress after a disaster may indicate the need for professional...

A power outage automatically means all vaccines in a vaccine fridge must be discarded immediately.

❌ Answer: False

A power outage does not automatically mean vaccines must be...

Emergency preparedness is only the responsibility of practice managers and business owners.

❌ Answer: False

Emergency preparedness is a shared responsibility. All members of the...

If part of your practice is damaged during a storm, you should first assess safety, activate your emergency or business continuity plan, and determine whether services can continue safely

✅ True

Source: ACT Emergency Services, Storms

Official ACT Government and ACT Emergency Services Agency information should be your primary source of local emergency information.

✅ Answer: True

Source: Emergency arrangements | ACT Emergency Services Agency

Feedback

Emergency Preparedness Check-In & Feedback

Take a few minutes to complete this short survey. Reflect on your readiness for disruptions and identify knowledge gaps to support your team’s emergency planning and continuity of care.

Take this Survey

References

Capital Health Network. (n.d.). QUIKTip: Summer planning and disaster preparedness. https://www.chnact.org.au

ACT Emergency Services Agency. (n.d.). ACT Emergency Services Agency. https://esa.act.gov.au

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. (n.d.). Providing psychological support to patients during or after a disaster. https://www.racgp.org.au

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. (n.d.). Managing emergencies and pandemics. https://www.racgp.org.au

ACT Emergency Services Agency. (n.d.). Chat. Plan. Act. https://esa.act.gov.au/prepare-your-property/chat-plan-act

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). (n.d.). Stress and trauma. https://www.aihw.gov.au/mental-health/topic-areas/health-wellbeing/stress-and-trauma

Webinar recordings

Explore these previously recorded CHN webinars, which cover topics including climate-related emergencies, patient privacy, and cybersecurity. These webinars offer valuable information to help practices understand emerging challenges, strengthen preparedness, and support patients and communities during times of disruption.

View All

Did you know?

Healthcare is one of Australia's most targeted sectors for cyber security incidents.

Vaccines must be stored between 2°C and 8°C to maintain their effectiveness.

Storm risk is highest in the ACT from September to the end of February

Mental health impacts can continue for months or even years after a disaster.

Canberra recorded its hottest day on record, reaching 44.0°C on 4 January 2020.

The 2003 Canberra bushfires destroyed 510 properties!

ACT ESA's Chat. Plan. Act. helps Canberrans get emergency ready

According to an ANU study, extreme heat and cold account for 1 in 15 ED presentations in ACT

Emergency Preparedness in Primary Care

Project Overview

Emergency Preparedness Check-In: True or False?

Your Results

If your practice loses power, internet and phones during a major storm, the first step is to activate your Emergency/Business Continuity Plan

If a patient evacuates without their regular medicines, they should wait until they can see their usual GP before obtaining replacements.

During a bushfire emergency in ACT, primary care services should consider air quality impacts, vulnerable patients, alternative care options and workforce disruptions.

Keeping software updated, using strong passwords and multi-factor authentication, backing up data and being alert to phishing attempts can help protect your practice from cyber incidents.

A patient who is still experiencing significant distress and difficulty functioning several weeks after an emergency may benefit from further assessment and ongoing support.

A power outage automatically means all vaccines in a vaccine fridge must be discarded immediately.

Emergency preparedness is only the responsibility of practice managers and business owners.

If part of your practice is damaged during a storm, you should first assess safety, activate your emergency or business continuity plan, and determine whether services can continue safely

Official ACT Government and ACT Emergency Services Agency information should be your primary source of local emergency information.

Emergency Preparedness Check-In & Feedback

References

Webinar recordings

Did you know?

Capital Health Network acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the country on which we work and live, and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders past and present.