Taking care of yourself during the flood emergency
Many general practices have been affected by the current flood emergencies. Doctors are banding together to provide medical services as best they can. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has developed a patient fact sheet providing useful tips on how individuals can look after themselves.
To ensure medical services reach those who need them most in these early critical days, there are many ways how people in flood affected areas can take care of themselves until normal medical services can be resumed.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has developed a patient fact sheet providing useful tips on how individuals can look after themselves, including:
* Get your medicines, scripts and records ready to go
* Keep up your regular healthcare
* If it’s not important right now, put it off
* Take special precautions against disease and injury
* De-stress
* Stay informed.
Professor Claire Jackson, RACGP President and GP in Brisbane, said that this is a challenging time for general practice teams and their patients.
“There are some simple steps that can be followed to avoid injury and further health issues, such as treating contaminated water, washing hands, using insect repellent and wearing gloves and covered shoes when in contact with flood waters or flood debris. During emergencies such as the current flood disaster across a number of states in Australia, it is vital that patients actively take responsibility to maintain their health at this time.
“Patients with chronic health issues must ensure continued access to their medication. If you run out of medication and have lost your scripts, you can get a three day emergency supply without a script from a pharmacist,” said Professor Jackson.
The full ‘Patient fact sheet – Taking care of yourself during the flood emergency’ and other useful information is now available on the College website. Please visit www.racgp.org.au/disasterresources.