Think About Your Health as well as Your Home this Bushfire and Storm Season

Wentworth Healthcare, provider of the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network, is working closely with other agencies to urge people living in the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Lithgow and Penrith areas to ‘Get Ready’ and consider their health as well as their homes ahead of bushfire and storm season.

The Nepean Blue Mountains region has some of the most disaster-prone areas in the country, with many areas experiencing drought, bushfires and floods and extreme heatwaves in recent years.

Wentworth Healthcare CEO, Lizz Reay, said that while ‘Get Ready’ activities serve as a crucial time for our community to assess their risk and prepare their homes and properties, it is equally as important to consider how an emergency may impact your health and the health of those you may care for.

“In the event of a disaster, it is not uncommon for services to be unavailable for extended periods. Power, water and mobile reception are often disrupted, and road diversions may delay assistance or travel to health services.”

“This is particularly true for the areas that can become cut off from main supplies due to main road closures. Knowing your health risks and having a plan in place can help you stay safe and well,” she said.

Ms Reay explained that a natural disaster can very quickly become a serious health crisis for those with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or mobility limitations who face increased risks due to isolation, reliance on power for medical equipment, or reduced access to medical services for crucial medications. Things like making sure emergency kits include essential health supplies such as health cards, spare batteries and any necessary medical equipment.

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Blue Mountains
Hawkesbury
Lithgow
Penrith