Provider briefing on fuel supply issues, disaster management & mental health support

Fuel supply issues, disaster management & mental health support – what your practice needs to know

Many parts of Australia and the Northern Sydney region are currently experiencing tightening fuel supply conditions, with increasing reports of higher prices and localised intermittent availability of fuel. In addition, the Middle East war, global events and increasing cost-of-living pressures may have potential impacts on primary care providers’ ability to operate, travel, maintain supply chains and mental health.

The Australian Government, in partnership with all states and territories, is taking action to safeguard fuel supply. The National Fuel Security Plan is currently at Level 2 (Keeping Australia moving) – precautionary measures to shore up fuel supply, recommendation for us to only buy the fuel we need, and make voluntary choices to use less.

What this means for Primary Care Providers

You may have experienced:

• Staff unable to travel to work or feel they would prefer to travel less
• Patients unable to attend appointments
• Reduced logistics (e.g. medicines, vaccines, consumables, pathology, deliveries) or operations capacity (e.g. power)
• Increased costs from your suppliers
• Increased demand for Digital Health, incl. telehealth, electronic prescribing (e-Scripts), e-Referrals, e-Requests (pathology and imaging) or remote monitoring
• Reduced home visit capacity
• Increased anxiety, including among those with loved ones in the Middle East

Actions for Primary Care Providers to consider now

SNHN is encouraging providers to:

1. Check your backup systems, UPS, and generator (if applicable) are working
2. Consider use of NSW FuelCheck app on your smartphone or visit the FuelCheck website for daily information on fuel prices and availability across NSW
3. Check for planned & unplanned power outages by Ausgrid
   • Report a power outage by calling Ausgrid 13 13 88
     • Use your street address & suburb, or
     • Your 11-digit National Metering Identifier (NMI) – usually found on top of your electricity bill
4. Review your Business Continuity Plan
   • Include alternate supply chains, telehealth workflows, remote access, data backups, essential staff roles, training and communication plans.
   • Refer to the NSW Small Business Commissioner Build a Business Continuity Plan, which includes templates and checklists
5. Review your individual login access to SNHN/NSLHD HealthPathways – Emergency management guidance:
   • Preparing a General Practice for a Disaster
   • General Practice Management During a Disaster
   • Post Natural Disaster Health
6. Prepare for increased telehealth demand
   • Ensure clinicians have remote access, telehealth platforms are functional, and that MBS item use is up to date.
   • Healthdirect Video Call is free to use for eligible healthcare providers including GPs, allied health professionals & eligible health specialists.
     • Use the Video Call Registration Form | healthdirect to request a virtual clinic. SNHN can help you register to use Healthdirect VC.
7. Ensure your practice and clinicians can access other digital health systems including Provider Connect Australia^TM, My Health Record, electronic prescribing and secure messaging (e.g. HealthLink), where applicable.
8. Review staff transport resilience – consider encouraging car-pooling, and when fuel shortages escalate, adjusted shifts.
9. Reiterate mental health support options for your team:
   • RACGP GP Support Program
   • Doctor’s Health NSW – 24/7 confidential phone support
   • Refer to HealthPathways Medical Practitioners’ Health;
   • SNHN can assist in facilitating wellbeing sessions through the Australian Psychological Society Disaster Response Network (DRN)
     • The DRN offers no-cost private one-off or regular 1:1 or group wellbeing sessions for frontline clinicians/workers who assist in disaster & emergency response work.
10. Encourage patients who live with disabilities, chronic health conditions, or anyone requiring extra support during emergencies to:
    • Review their person-centred emergency plan (if available)
    • Download the 1800MEDICARE app to access My Health Record and electronic scripts/repeats on their smartphone
      • Note: More information on preparing a patient for disaster can be found on HealthPathways Preparing Patients for a Disaster
11. Report to SNHN any fuel emergency impacts you may be experiencing and stay informed – SNHN will issue timely updates aligned with NSW Government and Federal Government advice.

Where to get help and how to report issues

SNHN is tracking primary care capacity and workforce issues, impacts on service delivery and operations, supply constraints or other emerging issues due to disasters and emergencies. We use this information to support your business, inform the Government about the local situation, and support the local emergency response.

• For fuel & general emergency-related enquiries, email Sydney North Emergency Operations Centre sneoc@snhn.org.au or call (02) 9432 8250 for advice
• For general practice support enquiries, email pcait@snhn.org.au
• Email digitalhealth@snhn.org.au for Digital Health Support incl. enquiries for telehealth, e-Referrals, e-Scripts, My Health Record and Provider Connect Australia^TM.
• Stay informed via the SNHN Disaster Management webpage, including
  • A live map of Northern Sydney general practices, pharmacies and residential aged care homes during disasters
  • Useful contact list for disasters & emergencies