By Marion Rae in Canberra

CLIMATE change is causing an increase in extreme weather events and Australia is on the frontline, doctors warn.

A group representing more than 100,000 doctors on Wednesday issued a joint statement calling for Australia to better prepare for the next climate disaster.

“We, as medical experts, are very concerned that Australian healthcare systems remain unprepared to handle extreme weather events that may be just around the corner,” they said.

The group said Australia’s healthcare system has started to grapple with climate risks to health and health systems.
Australia’s first national health and climate strategy is being developed to ensure the health system can cope, but the doctors want urgent action.

“GPs across Australia, and the world, are seeing the health impacts of climate change every day,” Dr Kate Wylie, a member of the group, said.

“It is a health emergency, and our elected leaders need to act urgently.”

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists president Dr Elizabeth Moore said as well as providing immediate support, mental health care must be included in long-term disaster planning.

The World Meteorological Organisation recently declared an El Nino and Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology says there is a 70 per cent chance of an El Nino developing here this year.

An El Nino event increases the risk of deadly heatwaves, bushfires and drought.

The broad coalition of doctors are calling on Australian governments to urgently ensure the planned strategy is properly resourced and signed off by national cabinet in time to be effective this coming summer.

The medical experts said the new strategy must do more than just reduce health sector emissions, as it also needs to build stronger, healthier communities that can withstand climate change.

Royal Australasian College of Physicians president Jacqueline Small said the strategy will help save lives.

But local communities need to know that if a climate event occurs, they are going to be able to get timely and effective healthcare – next week, next month, or next year, she said.

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists environmental sustainability chair Dr Kristine Barnden said the choices made today will lock in health outcomes for generations to come.

“Children have the right to be born into a safe environment with a stable climate,” she said.