Hospital is evacuated as flood waters continue to rise with a makeshift emergency department set up at a high school
A hospital has been forced to evacuate all staff and patients to a nearby high school as flood waters continue to devastate parts of northern New South Wales.
Fifty-five patients at the Ballina Hospital will be moved to the Xavier Catholic College where a makeshift emergency department is being set up for any others needing urgent care.
All patients have been transported with the help of NSW Ambulance and SES crews.
‘The evacuation is taking place on the advice of the local Police Commander and out of an abundance of caution to protect the health and safety of patients and staff,’ NSW Health said.
‘Extra NNSWLHD staff have been called in and are working alongside NSW Police, NSW Ambulance and the SES to ensure the safe transfer of all patients, whose families have been notified.
‘A makeshift emergency department is being set up at Xavier Catholic College for anyone in the community in need of emergency care while the hospital is temporarily closed.’
Those living in the area will notified through a text message that the hospital is temporarily closed.
More to come
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