Managing emergencies and disasters in general practice

Module 3 - Recovery


Communicating with patients

      1. Communicating with patients

Module 3 – Recovery | Communicating with patients

Following an emergency or disaster, you will need to let your patients know what they can expect from your practice going forward. Your patients will want to receive information such as:

  • how they can communicate and interact with your practice,
  • if they can expect to see their usual GPs,
  • if there are any specific requirements they need to be aware of and comply with to access your services (i.e., masks must be work on entry, only telehealth appointment available while your practice recovers from the event, a specific door needs to be used for entry and exit), and
  • where they can seek help during and after the event, outside of your practice (e.g. evacuation centres, recovery centres and local recovery services).

Using a variety of methods to communicate this important information will help ensure that it reaches the most people possible. Consider methods such as:

  • using emails, newsletters and text messages,
  • updating your practice website and recording a new telephone message, and
  • placing posters around your practice.

Remember to keep information clear, simple and obvious (i.e., highlighting the important information on your website, making sure your telephone recording plays prior to a team member answering a call, putting posters up at the entryway to your practice).

Remember to update your practice information on Healthdirect and contact your PHN to advise them of any changes that have taken place.

This event attracts CPD points and can be self recorded

Did you know you can now log your CPD with a click of a button?

Create Quick log

Advertising