01 October 2009

NSW deploys doctors to assist in Samoa

NSW Minister for Health, Carmel Tebbutt, has confirmed two NSW Health medical officers will be deployed to Samoa immediately to assist following the tsunami in Samoa.

Ms Tebbutt said the two doctors flew to Samoa last night on an Australian reconnaissance mission with AusAID.

“Two of our doctors have been urgently deployed to Samoa in response to today’s devastating tsunami, leaving on a chartered flight tonight via Brisbane with representatives of AusAID,” Minister Tebbutt said.

“The doctors will assess the medical needs of the communities affected and determine what additional resources are required.

“In the meantime, we arranged for a number of medical supplies to be flown to Samoa from Richmond Air Base last night,” added Ms Tebbutt.

The two doctors urgently leaving Australia are Dr Michael Novey, Deputy Medical Director, Ambulance Helicopter Base Bankstown and public health expert, Dr Mitchell Smith.

“I am grateful to Drs Novey and Smith who have agreed to drop everything and leave at short notice in order to help those in need. I also want to thank their families for their valued support at this time,” Minister Tebbutt said.

“Today, it is anticipated that a larger deployment of emergency and medical personnel will be dispatched from NSW and other states.

“NSW will be ready to support any additional national efforts that are being proposed in the days and weeks that follow,” the Minister added.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au