Hinchinbrook floods: Ingham GPs praise locals during weather disaster
Two highly respected GPs confronted by extreme adversity during the Hinchinbrook flood disaster have tipped their scrub caps to the resilient local community.
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Two highly respected medical practises confronted by extreme adversity during the Hinchinbrook flood disaster have tipped their scrub caps to the resilience of the local community.
Dr Stewart Jackson of Hinchinbrook Health Care and Dr Brett Scott of Ingham Family Medical Practice said the crisis early last month was a call to action.
Both clinics faced significant issues from the historic flooding that isolated swathes of the district, including Ingham.
In additional to being cut off, power was severed, communication networks failed, medical supplies were lost and doctors and staff were unable to reach work.
Dr Jackson said that despite his practise being left without power for seven days, staff were focused on getting back to work as quickly as possible to aid recovery efforts.
He said with the help of a generator and a basic internet connection, the practise was able to open “within days”.
Dr Jackson said they treated flood-related injuries, managed chronic conditions and organised private retrievals for patients needing urgent cancer treatment and dialysis.
“We did our own ... evacuations when it was difficult to rely on other providers.”
The efforts of both practises were supported by Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN), including dealing with telehealth regulations.
Dr Scott said lost power meant it couldn’t use computer systems and vaccine stocks were lost.
“The loss of power crippled modern healthcare; we were almost unable to do anything except basic wound care.”
He said the team was confronted by a surge in patients needing repeat prescriptions, lost referrals and mental health support.
“Many people had lost everything – cars, documents, their homes – it was heartbreaking.”
Dr Scott said they had to use a boat to access the medical practice due to the dangers.
“The water was chest-deep, and we’ve got crocodiles in the area,” he said.
“People forget that, but they’re there. It makes you think twice.”
Dr Scott said the community rallied behind the practise, including local cane farmers who provided water for cleaning and the broader medical community.
“The collegiality was amazing,” Dr Scott said.
“GPs from Tully and Townsville reached out, and NQPHN was there to listen and help.”
Dr Scott said telehealth was invaluable during the recovery phase, allowing doctors to consult with patients while dealing with their own flood-related challenges.
“It helped us get back on our feet.”
He also highlighted the importance of community resilience.
“The people of Ingham came together in an incredible way,” he said.
“That’s what got us through.”
Dr Jackson said patients were also thankful, even “shocked”, to see the practises back on their feet so quickly, saying “it gave them hope”.
“We’re GPs, this is what we do,” he said, “We help our community, no matter the circumstances.”
NQPHN works with its partners to support primary care and mental health providers to deliver quality patient care.
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Originally published as Hinchinbrook floods: Ingham GPs praise locals during weather disaster
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