Capital Health Network

As climate change drives more frequent and intense heatwaves, primary health care clinicians are increasingly supporting patients affected by heat-related health risks. Join an expert multidisciplinary panel to explore practical strategies for helping patients stay safe and well during periods of extreme heat.

This webinar will examine the physical, mental and social impacts of heatwaves, with insights from allied health and primary health care professionals on prevention, risk assessment and patient education.

Program:

• Introduction by Dr Sue Fitzpatrick (ACT Chief Allied Health Officer): The impact of climate change on health systems

• Dietitian perspective: Claire Wolksi (The Healthy Eating Clinic), Hydration, food requirements, food safety, and power outages (e.g. when the fridge shuts down) during a heatwave

• Psychologist perspective: How to help clients during a prolonged heatwave, how heatwaves can exacerbate mental health conditions, and manifestations of climate anxiety

• Exercise Physiologist perspective: Caelan Rice/Ben Basser- Silk (AXM Exercise Physiology), Activity and exercise modifications during a heatwave based on age, ability, injury and disease

• GP perspective by Dr Melanie Dorrington (Chief GP and Primary Care Adviser for ACT Health)

This webinar is relevant to GPs, Nurses, Psychologists, Dietitians, Exercise Physiologists, Allied Health Professionals, practice staff and others working in primary health care who want to strengthen their understanding of the health impacts of extreme heat and support patients to build resilience in a warming climate.

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