THE Lismore community has shown great resilience in the face of disaster over the past few years, including the flooding in 2022, bushfires in 2019-20, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recognising this hardship, the Australian Government and the NSW Government will each contribute $2.5m in targeted support for eligible primary healthcare providers to ensure that they can continue to provide quality primary healthcare to Lismore locals.
The funding will be distributed in grants for pharmacies, general practices, allied health (including mental health), dental practices, private specialists, pathology providers, drug and alcohol treatment services, and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services in Lismore.
Grants of up to $150,000 will be available, with provisions to consider applications from providers with exceptional circumstances above that threshold.
"Supporting primary care providers to recover benefits the entire Lismore community, ensuring locals can continue to see their own GP, dentist, mental health professional or pharmacist," shared Federal Health Minister Mark Butler.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard added "the NSW Government's $2.5m will help local healthcare providers deal with the ongoing effects of the flood.
"I visited Lismore soon after the floods and know it has been really awful for the community."
Out of 67 local primary care providers surveyed following the disaster, 58 practices reported some flood damage.
Funding for the grants will be provided to the North Coast Primary Health Network, Healthy North Coast.
Further information on how to apply for a grant can be found through Healthy North Coast HERE.
Eligible providers are encouraged to contact Healthy North Coast as of today.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 20 Feb 23
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