During an emergency

During major emergencies the Department of Health works to minimise the impact of emergencies on individuals, communities and the health system. The department is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the health system’s response and works in partnership with emergency services, Victorian government agencies and non-government organisations to ensure there is a whole-of-government response.

Emergency management response (including relief)

Real time response activities for the department may include:

providing public information to protect the community during health emergencies
providing public health and mental health information and promoting services available during and after major emergencies
coordinating training and the deployment of health professionals to enable Victoria to contribute to national or international deployments of health and medical teams
reducing preventable death, illness and disability in all health emergencies and other emergencies with potential health impacts

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

State Health Emergency Response Plan

The State Health Emergency Response Plan, edition 4 (SHERP4) sets out the arrangements and describes the integrated approach and shared responsibilities for health emergency management between the department, Ambulance Victoria and the emergency management sector.

Further information about SHERP4 is available at State Health Emergency Response Arrangements.