Statement from JCUMSA

Dear JCU Med Family,

A Cyclone Watch is current for parts of North Queensland, and currently spans from Ayr to St. Lawrence, including Mackay and the Whitsunday Islands. Understandably, many of our students, particularly those at rural sites are worried about the potential impacts of this new weather incident on their placement.

This is a rapidly evolving situation, and JCUMSA urges all students to follow the advice of the JCU College of Medicine and Dentistry (CMD) provided by email and local emergency services.

The current guidance, as of 9:00am on the 23^rd of January, 2024 provided by the JCU CMD is as follows:

• 2^nd year students: leave placement TODAY on Tuesday 23^rd January to be back home by Wednesday afternoon the 24^th of January 2024
• 4^th year students: further advice is pending from the CMD
• 5^th year students: monitor for updates closely from the Bureau of Meteorology and follow local guidance
• 6^th year students: monitor for updates closely from the Bureau of Meteorology and follow local guidance

JCUMSA is aware that many students have questions regarding remediation of placement time and mandatory placement requirements alongside fears for their own safety. The JCUMSA Executive is in contact with the CMD, and rest assured we will post more information as it becomes available.

If you have immediate questions in the meantime, please feel free to contact the JCUMSA President. Otherwise, please await instructions from the College via email and LearnJCU announcements.

Information for Year 2 Medicine Students Provided by the Rural Delivery Team, CMD – Email Sent 22nd January 2024

Dear Year 2 Medicine students.

As you would be aware, there is currently Tropical Low with a watch zone listed from Ayr to St Lawrence including Mackay and Whitsunday Islands. Whilst the movement of this weather event is unpredictable it is expected to develop into a cyclone and cross the QLD Coast later this week.

The end of your year 2 placement is fast approaching, with you all due to travel over the upcoming long weekend.  This email is to advise you to prepare to leave placement early.  

1. Prepare to enact your emergency plan now. You are advised to prepare to leave your rural site.
   1. Please finish placement today Monday 22nd January and aim to start travelling back to your home or home clinical school on Tuesday 23rd January to be home by Wednesday afternoon 24th January 2024.
   2. Your Supervisors will be advised that you have permission to leave placement.
   3. Please consider the Bureau’s forecast cyclone track map and the potential risk carefully when making this decision.
2. Keep up to date with the latest advice from the Bureau of Meteorology at: https://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/
3. Follow the advice of local emergency services, Council and Hospital management and Supervisors.
4. Travel: Students, please email [email protected] prior to leaving. You must advise where you intend to travel and how you can be contacted. Please let us know when you have arrived safely at your destination via email or by calling the rural office on 07 4095 6100.
5. Road Safety: Prior to leaving make sure you check the road conditions first.

Helpful information about road closures or hazards can be found on this Queensland Government website: https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au/ (Click the arrow icon to plan a journey).

Please note there is also a free app for your mobile device called ‘QLD traffic’ that you can download from your app store. This app is run by the Department of Transport and Main roads and can be used to show road closures and hazards along your specific journey.

Remember – If it’s flooded, forget it! http://floodwatersafety.initiatives.qld.gov.au/.

Important: As you are leaving your placement and accommodation, please take all of your belongings with you and leave your accommodation keys as per the email sent by MedAccom today.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the Rural Delivery Team on 07 4095 6100 or via email [email protected].

Thankyou.

Rural Delivery Team,
College of Medicine and Dentistry
James Cook University, Australia

Information for Year 5/6 Students Provided by the Rural Delivery Team, CMD – Email Sent 22nd January 2024

Good afternoon Everyone,

A Cyclone Watch is current for parts of North Queensland and include a watch zone currently from Ayr to St Lawrence, including Mackay and the Whitsunday Islands.

1. Keep up-to-date with the latest advice from the Bureau of Meteorology at: http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/
2. Prepare yourself and your residence. Some helpful Information on preparing for a Tropical Cyclone can be found at: https://www.getready.qld.gov.au/
3. Follow the advice of local emergency services, Council and Hospital management and supervisors.
4. Listen to your local radio station for updates on the weather situation. Note: in most cases the local ABC radio station is the official broadcaster of emergency information.
5. Please stay safe and continue to monitor your emails for further communication from the university on this matter.

We understand that some of you may want to relocate until after the Cyclone threat passes or return home to secure your residence. Please email [email protected] or call on 07 4095 6100 to discuss further.

Rural Delivery Team,
College of Medicine and Dentistry
James Cook University, Australia