The Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) have announced they are evacuating Ballina Hospital owing to rising floodwaters.
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.
The hospital has 55 general medical and rehabilitation patients, who are being temporarily relocated to Xavier Catholic College through NSW Ambulance and transport organised by the NSW State Emergency Service (SES).
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.
An SMS is being sent to the local community to alert them of the evacuation and the temporary hospital closure. Further updates will be provided as soon as possible.
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.
