“If a disaster plan is not adapted to real life, it is just words”. 

Thrive GP in Crookwell will soon be equipped to go mobile or to relocate in response to a disaster or emergency.

Practice owners, Richard and Dr Lisa Opie explain: “After completing emergency response training and participating in COORDINARE’s disaster preparedness webinar, we thought about how we would set up in a catastrophic event to be able to service our patients and the community.

“All general practices need to create a disaster plan for accreditation purposes, but if it is not adapted to real life, it is just words. Current world events, climate change and pandemics are proving that things will and can happen when you least expect them, so we believe we need to have a plan and be ready to act,” said Richard.

COORDINARE’s disaster preparedness webpage is a helpful resource.

“If staff and doctors are going out in a range of conditions, it is important they are ready, including medically equipped, to meet all challenges and they have effective safety precautions.

“Medical workers in a disaster scenario also need to be able to communicate, and the potential for loss of communication makes it difficult and dangerous. This includes calling for assistance, getting directions, connecting to the cloud-based server and using tele-video services,” he said.

Richard added: “In planning our emergency response plan it soon became evident we needed a suitably equipped four-wheel drive all-terrain vehicle for all conditions. This would enable us to relocate the practice in catastrophic times or become immediately mobile so we could be effective in treating the community and first responders.

“As well as equipping a previously under-utilised four-wheel drive vehicle as our Practice Emergency Response Vehicle (PERV), we have set up a cloud-based internet server to enable mobile and very accessible patient information. We also have use of a small community satellite clinic in another rural town that we can relocate to.

“In establishing the PERV we used the RACGP's Emergency Response Planning Tool (ERPT) as a guide to equipment and supplies required. We decided it was essential the vehicle have an awning and be large enough to carry equipment and supplies,” said Richard.

The PERV is still being fitted out with necessary items but Richard hopes it will be fully operational soon. It could be vital in patient management/communication and care once it is fully operational with the proposed connectivity.

Lisa added: “We are seeking financial assistance in equipping the vehicle with adequate communication services and the servicing of the satellite connection.”

The PERV has been completely funded by the practice. The approximate cost of the vehicle is $80,000 and approximate cost of equipment including the awning, fridge, stretcher and incidentals is $5,000 plus medical equipment, insurance, registration etc. A satellite dish will cost $3,800 plus a monthly $300-$400 fee.

Thrive GP could use the vehicle with the canopy during a pandemic to assist infectious patients, to do swabs and immunisations outdoors. It is important to note this vehicle is set up for assistance and is not replacing or supplying the services that would be provided by an ambulance or paramedics.

Learning and workforce development, Prevention initiatives, Quality in general practice