Is your clinic affected by the recent floods?

If you have been affected by the recent floods, you may already be aware of the immediate health support that has been made available. Of particular relevance to our members is the $4.7 million provided by the Australian Government to ensure continuity of affected primary health services. You can find out about this support here.  More broadly, $35.9 million will be rolled out across affected areas in Queensland and NSW over a two year period, which you can read more on here. 

The North Quay ferry terminal, Brisbane river floods, February, 2022.

Telehealth has also been taken into consideration, with an exemption made to normal Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) rules to ensure that people in flood-affected regions don’t need to have an existing relationship with a GP or other medical practitioner to access MBS-subsidised telehealth services (video and phone). While this may not directly impact podiatrists, it does increase likely activity in allied healthcare referral networks. You can read more about this here. 

Ballina NSW, during the 2022 floods.

If you live in Lismore or its surrounding areas, head here to read updates on specific government interventions being provided to healthcare providers and the general public in these flood-affected areas. Further information on business support for those affected more broadly by the floods across NSW or Queensland can also be found here and here. 

Need more advice? The APodA team is available to answer any questions at info@podiatry.org.au or (03) 9416 3111.