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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:

Update on Ballina District Hospital evacuation
Published: 02 Mar 2022

The evacuation of all 55 patients from Ballina District Hospital was successfully completed at around 1am this (Wednesday) morning.

All patients and staff are now safely located at Xavier Catholic College, where patient care continues.

At this stage, water levels have not reached the hospital. Maintenance crews have been on site since early this morning to assess any potential damage or impacts on infrastructure and systems.

Northern NSW Local Health District will continue to work closely with the SES and hope to be soon in a position to provide further advice to patients, their families and the community about when it may be safe for patients to return to the hospital.

Ambulances are currently being diverted to Byron Central Hospital. If safe to do so, we encourage anyone needing urgent medical attention to present to Byron Central Hospital emergency department as a first option.

A makeshift emergency department is available at Xavier Catholic College for anyone in the Ballina area who is unable to travel outside the area.

Acting Chief Executive, Northern NSW Local Health District, Lynne Weir, said the evacuation process went as smoothly as possible, thanks to the cooperation of all agencies involved and the outstanding efforts of the individuals involved.

“Health staff have worked incredibly hard overnight to transfer patients, together with Ambulance, SES and NSW Police personnel,” Ms Weir said.

“I want to praise our clinicians, logistics and support staff who have been amazing – keeping our patients safe and making this challenging operation a success.

“Staff contacted patients’ families last night to alert them to the evacuation and we will continue to communicate with patients’ families and loved ones.”

Please call triple zero (000) if you have a life-threatening emergency or if you need urgent medical attention but cannot get to a hospital due to the floodwaters.

If you need flood or storm emergency assistance, please call the SES on 132 500.