Disaster Management

Brisbane North PHN is assisting primary care providers from the North Brisbane and Moreton Bay region in all facets of the disaster management cycle including:

• planning and preparedness
• response
• recovery.

Our vision in Disaster Management includes

• Primary care providers who are well-prepared and adopt a multi-hazard approach.
• Safe and supported primary care teams, with systems in place to protect staff during emergencies.
• Continuity of essential primary care services for communities impacted by disasters.
• A resilient primary care workforce with strong mental health and wellbeing.
• Communities whose individual health and wellbeing needs are met throughout and after disaster events.

Our role in Disaster Management

We work to make sure communities can access primary healthcare during emergencies and natural disasters. The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DHDA) funds Primary Health Networks (PHNs) to strengthen emergency preparedness and coordination across local health services.

In Queensland, the local councils lead the on-the-ground response, supported by state and territory government, with the Australian Government stepping in for major national events. PHNs focus on keeping primary care services running. This means ensuring people can still see their GP, get prescriptions, access essential health support, and residential aged care homes have the supports they need—even when disasters strike.

Why this matters

PHNs are uniquely placed to deliver local solutions that:

• Reduce pressure on hospitals and emergency departments.
• Keep healthcare accessible and responsive for communities.
• Support continuity of care during crises.

What we do

• Plan and prepare: Work with local providers to build capacity and resilience.
• Coordinate: Align with national frameworks like the National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework and Australia’s National Strategy for Disaster Resilience.
• Collaborate: Partner with hospitals, aged care, mental health, disability services, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations for a strong, connected response.

Our commitment

This approach was shaped by lessons from recent health emergencies, including COVID-19 and extreme weather events. By embedding emergency preparedness into everyday operations, PHNs help communities stay safe and healthy during future challenges.