Latest advice on hospital and health services
West Moreton Health is actively monitoring Tropical Cyclone Alfred and its potential impact on hospital and health services across the region.
This is the latest advice as at 5pm on Thursday 6 March 2025.
Hospital operations and planned care
All hospitals, health facilities, and emergency departments are operating as normal.
However, non-urgent elective surgery and planned outpatient appointments, including clinics and child health services, scheduled for Thursday 6 March and Friday 7 March will be cancelled and rescheduled for a later date.
If your appointment or clinic is affected, our staff will contact you, there is no need to contact the hospital.
Please only attend our Emergency Departments in a life-threatening emergency.
Our minor injury and illness clinic at the Ripley Satellite Health Centre will remain open for patients with urgent, but not life-threatening conditions.
The health service is contacting vulnerable patients, including pregnant women and people with disabilities, who may require assistance with medical transport and essential healthcare.
Our hospitals are well-prepared for extreme weather, with uninterrupted power supply systems and backup generators in place to ensure continued operations.
Need medical advice?
- If you are unwell and unsure what care you need, call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for advice.
- For life-threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
- The Virtual Emergency Care Service is also available for immediate medical advice online or over the phone currently operating 24/7.
Staying safe and prepared
Medical devices and power outages
If you have a powered medical device, that might be affected by a power outage, make sure you charge it in advance, and have backup batteries ready.
If losing power to your device results in a medical emergency, go to a nearby hospital immediately if you lose power.
If it is not a medical emergency, and you just need power to charge your medical device, use all other options first. The hospital should be the last option for this circumstance.
More information on powered medical devices and disasters is available.
Medications and essential medical supplies
When emergencies happen, it’s important you and your family have everything you need to stay healthy.
Check your emergency kit to ensure you have:
- documents such as prescriptions, Medicare card and health care contacts.
- a 7-day supply of any prescription medicines you need.
- personal medical supplies specific to you, including a first aid kit and protective gear, like a face mask.
If you need an urgent prescription, contact your pharmacy or GP. If they are unavailable, contact the Virtual Emergency Care Service or consider an online script service.
If your medication requires refrigeration, prepare alternative storage methods (e.g. cold bags) in case of power loss.
Mental health and wellbeing
It is normal to experience a range of emotions if you are affected by a disaster.
It is important to know the difference between a common reaction to a stressful or traumatic event and the signs you should seek more support.
Further information is available on how to care for your mental health at this time.
You can also access information and resources to help young children and families prepare for a natural disaster.
Construction site safety
The tower cranes on the Ipswich Hospital site have been reviewed and these are safe to remain on site for the duration of the weather event.
The community may see the cranes sway or rotate in the direction of the wind, and this is safe and appropriate.
Additional information
- Cyclone preparedness information: Get Ready Queensland
- Public health advice for disasters: Queensland Health
- Local council disaster dashboard information