NCN Health monitors flood impact

By Murray Silby

Oct 18, 2022

Under observation: NCN Health is monitoring rising flood waters in its region for any potential impact on services. Photo by Gabriel Garcia

Nathalia Cobram Numurkah Health says although its campuses have not been directly hit by the Goulburn Valley’s flooding emergency it is impacting the availability of staff.

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Although recognising the flood situation can change rapidly, NCN Health said given the region had so far missed out on major flooding that had hit neighbouring jurisidictions, it was continuing to take admissions to its services.

It said the service’s urgent care centres remained open, district nursing was still operating and allied health services and medical clinics were still operating in Cobram and Nathalia.

“There is no current flood risk to NCN Health Campuses in Nathalia, Cobram or Numurkah,” a spokesperson said.

However, NCN Health said staff availability was being challenged by the flooding in centres, such as Shepparton.

“We have a number of staff living in Shepparton and surrounding areas who are impacted by flooding and road closures,” the spokesperson said.

“As a result, some services and appointments may be affected by staff shortages.

“Where your appointment or service needs to be rescheduled, we will contact you directly.

“Please, also get in touch with our staff if you cannot make an appointment due to roads being closed/flooding.”

NCN Health is also working with some staff impacted by road closures to find alternate ways for them to get into work, where safe and appropriate to do so.

“We want to acknowledge our teams, who are working hard to navigate the staff shortages to ensure continuity of care to our communities,” the spokesperson said.

NCN provided the following advice for people, who are isolated or have limited access to health care due to the current flooding in Victoria:

You can access health care online or via telephone.
In the event of a life threatening emergency, always call 000.
Other telehealth options — You can talk to a GP over the phone or online for a variety of services. These include general medical consultations, prescriptions, medical certificates, referrals for things such as x-rays, ultrasounds, specialists and allied health appointments.
There are dedicated child and maternal health lines and a general health care advice line called ‘Nurse on Call’, that are free of charge, phone 1300 606 024 .
There is the ‘Choose Well, Feel Better’ initiative, which provides free tools to help people make better healthcare choices, visit: http://www.drchoosewell.com/

NCN Health said it was continuing to monitor the flood threat and if people have any questions or concerns they could contact the health service via the following numbers: