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EMERGENCY

In an emergency, always call triple zero (000) for an ambulance. Ambulances are the safest way to be assessed, treated and transported to the right hospital for the care you need.

Triple zero (000) is a free call from any phone, mobile or phone box.

For less severe but still urgent situations, go to an Emergency Department.

There are 12 public hospital Emergency Departments in Northern NSW Local Health District and they are all available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Emergency departments are located at:

Falls photo
Published: 08 Apr 2025

Six months into her new role as the Falls Prevention Coordinator in Health Promotion at Northern NSW Local Health District, Lisa Delaney gained invaluable personal insight into the profound impact of a fall.

While on holiday, Lisa had a fall and broke two bones in her leg.

After spending the night sitting in emergency, she underwent diagnostic imaging, received a cast, and was informed that ankle surgery at John Hunter Hospital was needed.

“The irony of me being the Falls Prevention Coordinator was not lost on the staff!” she said.

“I was hoping I could wait for surgery when I returned to Lismore but once I saw the imaging, the severity of the situation became clear.

“I went ahead with the surgery and spent four long days and nights in an overflow ward before being transferred to Lismore Base Hospital via a care flight.

“It was the closest I’ll get to a private jet!” she laughs.

For six weeks, Lisa was non-weight-bearing and relied on a wheelchair for mobility, due to the severe sprain in her other foot. During her recovery, she received exceptional care as an outpatient from the District’s physio services at the Carrol Centre and was recently discharged from the service.

“Experiencing the patient journey myself was tough, but it gave me some valuable insights into how to support people recovering from falls,” Lisa said.

“I'm especially passionate about raising awareness of falls and the actions people can take to help prevent a fall."The Healthy Ageing team may be small but we’re mighty. We’ve implemented several initiatives for the community, most recently a dance class that incorporates evidence-based fall prevention exercises. We’ve also got some exciting projects coming up that I can’t share just yet, so stay tuned!"

Lisa moved to the area 13 years ago, starting with NNSWLHD as a dreadlocked radiation therapist eager to explore the Rainbow Region. She took part in the HETI RRCBP program, focusing on complementary and alternative therapies, before moving into various project officer roles.

In these positions, she worked to localise cancer pathways, eventually shifting her career focus toward prevention in health promotion roles, including with BreastScreen NSW.

"Having worked as a clinician treating cancer patients in many departments across the country and internationally, I knew I preferred living in smaller regional towns,” she said.

”I drove across the Nullarbor from Perth on yet another adventure to relocate to Lismore – and I haven’t left!

“I never thought I’d stay in one place for so long, but I love Lismore’s unique charm, its greenery, and how it’s close to so many diverse landscapes and towns in the Northern Rivers.

"Shifting into preventive roles feels like a big change from my time in oncology. While I enjoyed working with patients and the technical aspects of radiation therapy, my experience gives me a deep understanding of the pressures clinicians face. I carry that knowledge with me in my health promotion roles, particularly when collaborating with clinicians."

Lisa said she really enjoys the challenge of learning a new role and giving it her best - although she may have taken it to a whole new level with this injury!!

Check out the article Falls prevention is everyone’s business

<< go back to Northern Exposure Issue 3 – April 2025