Abstract Description
"One of the worst outages in the state's history".
"Almost 300,000 without power..."
"Days if not weeks to fix..."
February 13th to 15th 2024 presented an unexpected, unprecedented challenge in Victoria's Bass Coast region. Widespread, prolonged power outages caused by storm damage to power infrastructure thrust the entire region into silent darkness. GP clinics, pharmacists and other health services were forcibly shut. Crippled telecommunications and fuel shortages limited the ambulance service's capacity to receive and respond to calls. Maintenance of basic community health resources such as refrigerated medicines, home ventilators and personal medical / monitoring devices were compromised. Literally overnight, the entire region was exposed and rendered vulnerable.
Bass Coast Health's flagship hospital at Wonthaggi led the community's healthcare response to this crisis. Supported by reliable backup power systems and a prompt "Code Brown" activation, it implemented a multi-site, collaborative, pro-active plan that supported the community through this challenging period. At a time of need, our hospital stood tall. This presentation will discuss details of the plan, lessons learned and implications for future preparedness in this era of climate change.
"Almost 300,000 without power..."
"Days if not weeks to fix..."
February 13th to 15th 2024 presented an unexpected, unprecedented challenge in Victoria's Bass Coast region. Widespread, prolonged power outages caused by storm damage to power infrastructure thrust the entire region into silent darkness. GP clinics, pharmacists and other health services were forcibly shut. Crippled telecommunications and fuel shortages limited the ambulance service's capacity to receive and respond to calls. Maintenance of basic community health resources such as refrigerated medicines, home ventilators and personal medical / monitoring devices were compromised. Literally overnight, the entire region was exposed and rendered vulnerable.
Bass Coast Health's flagship hospital at Wonthaggi led the community's healthcare response to this crisis. Supported by reliable backup power systems and a prompt "Code Brown" activation, it implemented a multi-site, collaborative, pro-active plan that supported the community through this challenging period. At a time of need, our hospital stood tall. This presentation will discuss details of the plan, lessons learned and implications for future preparedness in this era of climate change.
Speakers
Authors
2. Presenting Authors
Dr Don Liew - Bass Coast Health (VIC, Australia)