Care during crisis

Resources for members to support patients

Care during crisis

Resources for members to support patients

Care during crisis
Last updated 22 December 2025

Message from the Chief Medical Officer of Australia


Health professionals supporting patients after recent events in Bondi and your Medicare billing:

The department recognises that health professionals may deliver services under extenuating circumstances, including during national emergencies or tragic events such as those in Sydney. We deeply appreciate the vital role they play in supporting the community during these challenging times.

Any monitoring of billing practices will always account for a broad array of information and data. This would include situations when demographic or external factors may require different types of support and services to the community. 

We encourage practitioners to continue in their important work, as needed in the circumstance –  and commend everyone responding and supporting those impacted by these tragic events.

Professor Michael Kidd AO FAHMS
Chief Medical Officer for Australia
Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
 

Your patients may need more care at this difficult time.

A collection of free to access, practical resources are available here to assist you.

Psychological First Aid: Supporting people affected by disaster in Australia
This psychological first aid guide is for people working in disaster preparedness, response and recovery

download the pdf 

Psychological First Aid: Tip card
Psychological First Aid for children is an internationally accepted strategy that can be used anytime, but is most widely used in the first hours, days and weeks following a traumatic event. This tip card includes some practical ways that Psychological First Aid for children can be applied.

access the webpage 

Suicide prevention and first aid: A resource for GPs
The GPMHSC has developed this mental health first aid resource on suicide prevention to support general practitioners (GPs) in their day-to-day practice, to recognise and respond to patients whose mental health issues might be risk factors for suicide.

download the pdf 

RACGP CPD solution activities:

Disaster Recovery: Providing psychological support

Australian communities experience a range of disasters, including bushfires, servere storms, floods, drought, heatwaves, cyclones, and earthquakes. These events can affect the psychological health and wellbeing of individuals and their communities through exposure to loss of life, trauma, grief, and financial support to people who have experienced a disaster or emergency.

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Disaster recovery: GP self-care after a disaster

During a crisis, GPs and other health professionals play a pivotal role in caring for and supporting those affected by natural disasters and emergencies. With a large influx of patients requiring assistance within short timeframes, frontline responders tend to overlook their own personal needs for support and instead focus on other people requireing medical attention. However, self-care in the time of an emergency is vital for GPs, their staff, and their families, so that they can continue to provide effective care in their community long-term. This module will explore the importance of, and key strategies for, self-care by GPs caring for people after natural disasters or emergencies.

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Trauma informed care

Traumatic events and experiences can have far-reaching effects on a person's physical and mental health. This eLearning module explores the signs, symptoms and behaviours of those who are experiencing the ongoing effects of a traumatic event or experience and how you, as a GP, can provide trauma-informed care. It also explores the impact that working with patients who have experienced trauma can have on GPs and other health care providers.

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