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Bushfires and the role of general practice
The RACGP is calling for member feedback following their experiences during Australia’s unprecedented bushfire season.
The RACGP is seeking feedback on the role of general practice during a bushfire, and on how GPs could be better supported. (Image: AAP)
The Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements (bushfire royal commission) is designed to ‘examine coordination, preparedness for, response to and recovery from disasters as well as improving resilience and adapting to changing climatic conditions and mitigating the impact of natural disasters’.
It was established by the Federal Government following Australia’s horror bushfire season, which resulted in loss of life, property and wildlife, as well as considerable environmental destruction.
General practice has a vital role to play in such disasters and the RACGP will be providing submissions to the bushfire royal commission, as well as the Senate inquiry: Lessons to be learned in relation to the Australian bushfire season 2019–20. The college is seeking member feedback on the role of general practice, and on how a response could be better facilitated and GPs better supported.
The RACGP’s consultation page is currently open, with feedback due by Sunday 15 March.
The bushfire royal commission itself has also been opened to public submission, with individuals, community groups and the broader community able to share their ‘experiences, insights and suggestions’.
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