Department of Health

After major emergencies the Department of Health works to minimise the impact of emergencies on individuals, communities and the health system. The department is the Recovery Lead Agency (RLAC).

Emergency management relief

The relief activities may include:

  • providing health and medical assistance
  • providing mental health services and information
  • providing public health advice
  • advising councils on interim accommodation standards for displaced peoples
  • providing advice on wellbeing
  • maintaining community access to primary and acute health services
  • providing health advice to councils, other agencies and the community

As a control agency the department’s relief responsibilities include issuing public information, which is essential to assisting communities make informed decisions about their safety. This may be issued via the Victorian Public Warning System, public meetings, newsletters, advertising and media releases.

The department is a relief support agency (RelSA) to Ambulance Victoria, who provides pre-hospital care to people affected by emergencies; establishes field primary care clinics; and provides other health and medical relief assistance measures.

Recovery after an emergency is undertaken across four environments, social, economic, built and natural. The department supports only social recovery, with a focus on health and medical assistance. Municipal councils support the department in providing public health advice to their communities.

More detailed information on the department’s responsibilities after an emergency can be found in the State Emergency Management Plan (SEMP).External Link

Reviewed 10 January 2022

Health.vic

Was this page helpful?