We are continuing to support our staff and communities affected by the extreme weather and flooding events in Northern NSW.
Ballina District Hospital has now reopened while other health services have been affected as follows:
Ballina District Hospital resumes normal operating status
All patients have been returned to Ballina District Hospital from Xavier Catholic College, where temporary health services including a makeshift Emergency Department had operated for the past two days due to the threat of flooding.
Given no floodwater entered the hospital as feared, and following risk assessments, the hospital has been declared safe to resume normal operating status, including its ED.
55 general medical and rehabilitation patients have been relocated to the hospital.
NNSWLHD staff are working alongside NSW Police, NSW Ambulance and the SES to ensure the safe transfer of all patients.
All other hospital emergency departments in the Northern NSW Local Health District remain open, please don’t hesitate to present to your nearest hospital if you require urgent medical attention.
Oral Health
Some Oral Health services at public dental clinics are temporarily suspended. Affected patients are being advised and will be rescheduled.
Emergency Oral Health Services are available at Tweed Heads Hospital Dental Clinic, Goonellabah Community Health Dental Clinic, and Aruma Community Health Dental Clinic in Grafton. Patients can contact the service through the Oral Health line on 1300 651 625.
Sexual Health
The Sexual Health Service office in Lismore is temporarily closed and alternative clinic space is being arranged. Please call Tweed Valley (5506 6850) or Grafton Sexual Health Services (6656 7865) for advice and bookings.
Needle and Syringe Program
Needle and Syringe Program services at Ballina and Lismore are temporarily closed. Please call 0417 062 265 for advice or information.
Lismore Liver Clinic
The Lismore Liver Clinic is temporarily closed and alternative clinic space is being arranged.
Elective Surgery
All non-urgent surgery remains temporarily suspended. Emergency surgery is continuing, and surgical services are being regularly reviewed. Affected patients are being advised and contacted to reschedule their procedures.
Community Health
Murwillumbah Community Health and Lismore Community Health remain closed. Community-based care is being provided through our nursing and Hospital in the Home teams, and staff are prioritising those patients who are most vulnerable.
COVID-19 Testing Clinics
The four hospital COVID-19 testing clinics remain closed. These clinics are located at Tweed Hospital, Byron Central Hospital, Lismore Base Hospital and North Street Grafton. Please take a Rapid Antigen Test or present to an alternative clinic or your nearest emergency department for COVID-19 testing.
COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics
The Tweed Mall and Byron Bay Services Club COVID-19 vaccination clinics have re-opened, while the Molesworth Street Lismore and Prince Street Grafton clinics will remain closed for this week. Appointments at those clinics will be rescheduled.
Emergency Advice
Please heed the advice of local emergency services at all times, and do not drive through floodwaters.
If you need flood or storm emergency assistance, please call the State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500. Call triple zero (000) if you have a life-threatening emergency.