The biannual NSW Health Emergency Management Forum, held on 19 March 2026 at the NSW Ministry of Health in St Leonards, brought together health, emergency management and community partners to discuss preparedness, response and recovery across New South Wales. A strong focus was placed on strengthening preparedness in primary healthcare and supporting priority populations.
Adjunct Professor Nicole Turner, CEO of AH&MRC, spoke about opportunities to strengthen collaboration between NSW Health disaster managers and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations. Her presentation highlighted the disproportionate impact of disasters on Aboriginal people, the critical role of ACCHOs as first responders and trusted community supports, and ongoing gaps in the inclusion of Aboriginal communities in emergency planning. She called for genuine partnerships, shared decision-making and culturally safe approaches to improve disaster preparedness, response and recovery.
Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network also shared local initiatives to support general practices, pharmacies and aged care facilities with emergency planning, alongside targeted campaigns encouraging people—particularly those with chronic conditions or disabilities—to prepare for their health needs in emergencies.
The forum also highlighted current global risks and preparedness activities associated with the Middle East conflict, including planning for potential repatriations, cyber security threats and fuel distribution pressures. Health leaders from New Zealand shared key lessons from a major cyber-attack on the regional health authority Te Whatu Ora Waikato, underscoring the critical importance of having a preparedness and response plan in place to manage cyber incidents within health facilities.
At the local level, participants reflected on the multiagency health response to the Bondi Beach terror attack in December 2025, acknowledging the essential contribution of hospitals, pathology, forensic services, communications teams and mental health clinicians in supporting affected individuals and communities.
Ongoing infrastructure disruption at Victoria Pass on the Great Western Highway, combined with the fuel supply constraints, was identified as a significant challenge for the region. Government agencies outlined coordinated planning underway to maintain health services and minimise community impact, including the expanded use of virtual healthcare where travel is disrupted.
Please reach out to our Public Health team on publichealth@ahmrc.org.au if your service would like assistance with connecting and building relationships with Local Emergency Management Committees.
