Health Services WYD08

NSW Health is providing health services at WYD08.

Existing health service arrangements for the general public will continue as usual during WYD08.

NSW Health will operate small Event Medical Units at major WYD08 venues. These Units will be staffed by doctors, nurses and other health officers as needed and will provide limited emergency care on-site.

Services on-site means most participants will be able to rejoin their group immediately after treatment and continue to enjoy the event. They also reduce the number of ambulance transports to hospital and the impact on local Emergency Departments.

The Ambulance Service of NSW will have comprehensive coverage of all major WYD08 venues. Paramedics can treat patients on-site and transfer any very serious patients directly to hospital.

Extensive supplementary first-aid will be supplied by a third-party provider at numerous posts throughout Sydney's Central Business District and event venues.

Paramedics or first-aiders will be able to transfer anyone requiring extended care to an on-site Unit.

If you feel unwell at a WYD08 event, it is very important to seek medical assistance early. In many cases you will be able to return to the event following treatment.

More info: Ambulance Service of NSW

Information on accessing local primary care will be available through volunteers and noticeboards at temporary school and church accommodation venues.

It is very important that if you are feeling unwell you tell your group leader or accommodation volunteer immediately. This allows for quick treatment and reduces the potential spread of communicable disease. This is especially important when living in communal settings with large numbers of people and limited amenities.

More info: WYD2008

The NSW Health Centre for Health Protection will be monitoring global international health in the weeks leading up to the start of WYD08. Links with health departments across Australia will also be used to monitor any relevant incidents identified during Days in the Dioceses.

As with any mass gathering, it is strongly recommended that WYD08 participants be fully vaccinated against easily transmissible diseases such as influenza, measles, chicken pox and others.

Public Health Officers will visit major WYD08 venues during the event. Data on the types of illness and injuries being treated will be collected from event venues, hospitals, general practitioners and other sources and analysed to understand the source or cause of any related incidents.

Public Health Response Teams will be able to quickly investigate any incident of population health interest.

More info: Recommended vaccinations

Mental Health Services will provide technical and clinical management advice on mental health issues which may arise during WYD08 events.

All usual mental health services will be available to the community of NSW during WYD08.

Telephone free of charge the Mental Health Help Line: 1 800 469 525 to access mental health resources.

More info: Mental Health