For the first time, the Australian Government has deployed Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT) specialists in a domestic setting providing medical support to evacuees from bushfire-affected communities in Victoria and New South Wales.
Northeast Health is one of only a few hospitals in Victoria to benefit from having the AUSMAT specialists joining our team and providing clinical care in our acute wards.
We welcome the additional support especially at this time when a number of our staff need to take emergency leave due to the direct impact of the fires or as volunteers with the CFA, SES and Red Cross.
Margaret Bennett, CEO said, “ We are extremely grateful to have the support of these experienced clinicians at a time when a number of our own staff are impacted by the bushfire crisis.”
In Victoria, the towns of Sale, Wangaratta and Bairnsdale are currently receiving assistance from AUSMAT which forms part of the Australian Government’s comprehensive response to the bushfire crisis. This is the first time AUSMAT specialists have been deployed to provide domestic assistance.
