The Alfred

Providing leading healthcare for the people of Melbourne & Victoria. Alfred Health is a leading metropolitan health service in Melbourne, Australia.

For all the latest information about The Alfred and our visiting hours please visit www.alfredhealth.org.au/visitors We pride ourselves on giving our patients and our community the best possible health outcomes by integrating clinical practice with research and education. Alfred Health provides a comprehensive range of specialist services including Australia's busiest trauma centre. We also operat

e one the largest and most advanced intensive care units (ICU) in the southern hemisphere. Alfred Health offers almost ever form of medical treatment across our three locations at The Alfred, Caulfield Hospital and Sandringham Hospital. Recognised as a national leader in health care, Alfred Health has a commitment to biomedical research. We are also known for excellence in training for medical, nursing, allied health and other support staff. This is further enhanced through partnerships with Monash University, La Trobe University, and several internationally recognised medical research organisations such as the Burnet Institute.

15/07/2025

Two of our staff are readjusting to a chilly Melbourne winter after spending time working alongside local surgeons at Lautoka Hospital in Fiji.

Neurosurgeon Ron Jithoo and anaesthetist Simon Hendel were there to share knowledge and expertise, build relationships, and help strengthen surgical capability across the Pacific.

“We have been working with our colleagues in Fiji over several years to build their neurosurgical capability and to assist with cases that are not yet able to be performed in Fiji without external support,” Simon said.

“Ron and colleagues spent time consulting alongside Fijian neurosurgeons Dr Alan Biribo and Dr Ravuama Raqisia to assess and select the cases that should be done with our support.”

Working together, they performed cranial and spinal surgery in patients with signs of neurological deterioration, intracranial surgery (such as biopsies for tumours to assist in diagnosing the type of tumour) and microvascular neurosurgeries.

Lautoka is a major port city and the second biggest in Fiji, making Lautoka Hospital a major centre of healthcare for many people.

“Strengthening local skills and services not only empowers clinicians to deliver sustainable, culturally appropriate care,” Ron said.

“It also advances health equity by reaching communities that are historically underserved.”

Simon described the experience as, “one of the great privileges of a career in medicine.”

“Finishing a day of surgery working in a different environment, within an international team, having delivered care to people who really need it is very rewarding,” Simon said.

"Fiji is also just a beautiful place: it’s warm, safe, and the people are among the friendliest in the world.”

The program is run by The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) and funded by DFAT.

11/07/2025

This morning we had the privilege of being joined at The Alfred by Ngiyampaa man and First Nations singer-songwriter Pirritu, as part of our NAIDOC Week events.

Pirritu played an acoustic set which included the beautiful Thurul, where he shared the story of the sacred kingfisher and its connection to healing.

“You never know what the person next to you is going through,” Pirritu said, pictured with (from left) Rhys Gleeson, Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer Team Lead, Alison Parsons, Senior Aboriginal Advisor, and Dr Jessica O'Brien, Cardiologist.

“Music is one of the best ways to share stories of hope, and share what’s going on in your life.”

Alison said NAIDOC Week is an important time for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to celebrate and share their rich, diverse cultures with the community and all Australians.

‘It’s a powerful opportunity to reflect, connect, and come together in recognition of our history, achievements, and ongoing contributions,” Alison said.

09/07/2025

A tailored exercise and nutrition program that helps to prepare for, and optimise recovery for blood cancer patients has been recognised as a finalist in the 2025 HESTA Team Excellence Awards.

Led by allied health clinicians, the exercise and nutrition program for stem cell transplant recipients helps both prepare the patient for transplant and maximises their chances of a positive outcome post procedure.

Developed specifically for each patient’s needs, the program is based on research that shows individualised exercise and nutrition interventions led by physios and dieticians can improve physical function, promote bone health, reduce cancer-related fatigue and alleviate psychological distress.

Exercise can also decrease the severity of adverse side effects and reduce the risk of developing other conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and osteoporosis, said project lead and cancer physiotherapist Erica Patterson.

“Patients who undergo stem cell transplant or high dose chemotherapy are more susceptible to loss of muscle mass, impaired physical function, poor nutrition and decreased quality of life,” Erica said.

“We wanted to leverage existing research to design something that could support patients here at The Alfred, as well as in the patient’s own home, particularly if they live regionally or are unable to come in.

“The outcomes have been significant, with 100 per cent of participants reporting the program to be completely acceptable and of value in their stem cell transplant journey.”

Winners will be announced at a ceremony on 7 August.

07/07/2025

Yesterday marked the beginning of NAIDOC Week, where we honour and elevate Indigenous voices, culture and resilience.

A carefully designed stonework has been unveiled within the wellness garden at the Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre, as a gesture of respect and acknowledgement towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the traditional owners and custodians of the land.

Dr N’arweet Carolyn Briggs AM, Boon Wurrung Senior Elder, shared the meaning behind the design, which depicts pre-settlement Port Phillip Bay and the surrounding land, skies, and waterways of the Kulin Nation.

"The stonework sends a message of 'Come, welcome, and feel safe here,'" N'arweet said.

The Womindjeka stonework is a symbol of recognition and gratitude towards the people of the Kulin nation, and acknowledges their ongoing connection to Country.

Alfred Health recognises that culturally welcoming artwork and places in and around our services are a visual acknowledgement of Aboriginal culture, our shared history and commitment to being responsive to the needs of the communities we work in.

This year's NAIDOC Week runs from 6-13 July.

03/07/2025

After a successful first season, new episodes of Discovery College's podcast Extremely Human are being released.

Part of the Alfred’s Infant Child and Youth Area Mental Health and Wellbeing Service and headspace Early Psychosis, Extremely Human is just one of many resources on the Discovery College website that help us conceptualise and understand mental health.

The show is produced and hosted by Lived Experience Specialist Lucy and Social Work Clinician Rachel.

“Extremely Human is a podcast where people share big life experiences, like psychosis, grief, addiction, euphoria, or moments that felt completely unreal,” Lucy said.

“It’s not about labels or fixing people. It’s about listening to what those experiences were actually like, in their own words, without their stories being told for them, and hearing what they learned along the way.”

More here: https://bit.ly/3IolKV2

27/06/2025

As the winter freeze sets in, The Alfred has seen a significant increase in the number of patients presenting after sustaining burns in their own home.

One of these patients was Jen, pictured, who was using her stove to make a cup of tea when her clothes set alight.

“I was standing at the stove wearing a flowing top and as I turned to fill the kettle, my top caught fire.

“As flames raced up my chest, face and hair, I just realised – this can happen in an instant.”

Jen the spent two weeks at the Victorian Adult Burns Service at The Alfred having multiple surgeries after suffering mid-deep dermal burns to her cheek, neck, right arm and back, as well as superficial burns to the face.

“Simple activities, that we do every day, can result in lifechanging injury,” said Mel Neely, Burns Nurse Clinical Lead.

Read more about how to prevent home burns from occurring here: https://bit.ly/3Td1N5W

19/06/2025

Our support services staff are vital to the care we offer patients and greatly shape the experience of being in hospital.

Patient Service Assistant Tigest said she and her colleagues are often the first people patients see each day.

“We’re waking them up from their sleep, saying good morning,” Tigest said.

“Sometimes they might have a question, so we’re helping them with the little things, but it’s a big deal for the patient.”

A big thank you to all of our support services staff for all you do!

18/06/2025

Leukaemia survivor Stephanie, 27, was first diagnosed with the deadly blood cancer when she was 14 and at the time experienced a range of debilitating side effects from her three years of treatment and daily hospital visits.

“When I was diagnosed again at 22 and told I needed a stem cell transplant, my mind went straight to the complications you hear of, and how serious and potentially deadly Graft Versus Host Disease can be.”

But a clinical trial led by Alfred haematologist and Monash University researcher Prof David Curtis, has identified a treatment that means patients may now be three times more likely to be cancer-free and avoid deadly complications post-transplant.

Signing up for the clinical trial proved life changing for Stephanie, as, five years on, she has shown no sign of any complications.

“When they offered the trial to me, I said yes straight away, because there was no risk. I knew it wouldn’t make anything worse, but there was a chance it would make things so much better.”

“Now I’m working full time, my partner and I just bought a house, we’re about to get married and I’m happy and healthy,” Stephanie said.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/463vIoH

17/06/2025

This week is Dietitians Week, which highlights the role dietitians play in improving our health and wellbeing.

Following a car accident last November, Peter has made his way through The Alfred’s Trauma System and is now completing his rehabilitation at Caulfield Hospital.

“When you have a serious accident and your body takes a hit, there’s so many different aspects of recovery to take into account,” Peter said.

“It turns out food and nutrition is very much a part of that.”

Though dietitians might not be the first profession that comes to mind at the mention of a hospital, their work is nevertheless crucial.

Due to the nature of his injuries and the treatments he has undergone, Peter receives his nutrition directly via a tube. At first, his food was given evenly over a 24 hour period, before progressing to being given three times a day.

“Before I met Peter he had been working with Claire, our Trauma Dietitian, for over four months,” Hayley said.

"Now that Peter is at Caulfield for rehabilitation, we are working to help stabilise his weight, and most importantly, preserve and build his muscles so he can progress with his rehab and get back home.”

Reflecting on his work with Alfred Health dietitians, Peter said he is grateful for their professionalism and expertise.

“Dietitians do way more than you might think,” Peter said.

“It’s not until you have the experiences I’ve had that you begin to understand the depth of knowledge and care that is involved, so I’d like to get the word out: they do a lot.”

More here: https://bit.ly/45JXJ4L

13/06/2025

New faces have been popping up across the health service over the last few weeks, as we've welcomed the first of 60 Paramedic Practitioner Masters students joining us for their clinical placements.

These placements give qualified paramedics the opportunity to work in different clinical environments as they enhance the skills needed to care for patients with urgent complex and chronic healthcare conditions in the community.

Ben, who recently completed two weeks in the Emergency Departments at Sandringham Hospital and The Alfred, said the experience has been crucial to bridging the gap between theory and practice, as he moves towards becoming a Paramedic Practitioner, a specialised paramedic with additional skills and responsibilities.

"With supervision, we've been able to put our learning into practice, including assessing and treating minor burns, infections, fractures, and wounds," Ben said, pictured (centre) with Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas (far right) and program partners last week.

"It's invaluable because it also helps you experience the flow of healthcare - from the time an ambulance arrives at a hospital, to how that patient is cared for through to admission."

Alfred Health is one of two metropolitan healthcare providers to support the Monash University students, along with seven regional hospitals. Students will be working across our Emergency Departments, Hospital in the Home and aged care services.

12/06/2025

Earlier this week our ICU team headed over to Fawkner Park for their annual Big Freeze event, raising money for motor neurone disease (MND) research.

Now in its fourth year, the team has collectively raised more than $35,000 toward MND research in honour of ICU colleague Colonel Su Winter, who passed away from MND in 2021.

“Sue was a fond colleague - she was a lovely, gentle, caring person and cared a lot about our patients,” said Travis, an ICU Clinical Nurse Educator.

“Somehow I always manage to get in the nominations, I think I’m a fairly loud person in the unit, this is my second time getting dunked.”

This year the weather turned it on for the team with a crisp sunny day for their ice dunkings, the victims chosen by total donation tallies against their name.

“We enjoy the fundraising for such a good cause. It’s a good day to get out, fund-raise and remember Sue,” said Sienna, an ICU Clinical Nurse Specialist.

As for how to top it next year, Sienna said she’s always on the lookout for ideas.

“Bigger and better is always the way - all I want is one of those dunk machines or some sort of jumping castle with a slide that goes into an ice bath,” Sienna said.

“I’m manifesting this, I speak to the clouds every time I leave the house.”

Click through for some stellar photos - and congratulations to all who took part!

10/06/2025

Emergency nurse Jean-Philippe Miller has been awarded for his humanitarian work with the Red Cross – becoming one of just 35 nurses globally to receive the Florence Nightingale Medal.

The award, given by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), honours recipients who show exceptional courage and devotion to victims of armed conflict or natural disaster.

An emergency nurse at The Alfred, Jean-Philippe is well-versed in caring for patients with acute injuries or illnesses by providing quick assessments, stabilisation and treatment, but working in a humanitarian context adds whole other levels of challenge.

On receiving the honour, Jean-Philippe said he is “incredibly grateful” to have his work supported and acknowledged.

“This work is important to me because it aligns with my principles and ethics, and because healthcare is a basic human right,” Jean-Philippe said.

Congratulations Jean-Philippe!

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South Yarra, VIC

Website

https://www.alfredhealth.org.au/the-alfred

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The Alfred is a leading metropolitan health service in Melbourne, Australia. We pride ourselves on giving our patients and our community the best possible health outcomes by integrating clinical practice with research and education. The Alfred provides a comprehensive range of specialist services and we’re home to Australia's busiest trauma centre, treating major trauma patients from across the state. We also operate one the largest and most advanced intensive care units (ICU) in the southern hemisphere.

Patients come to The Alfred for specialty services like comprehensive cancer care, respiratory medicine, cardiology and cardiovascular services. We run 14 statewide services including burns, heart and lung transplant, melanoma, HIV, psychiatry intensive care, bariatric and more. We are the only hospital in Australia to perform paediatric lung transplants. Recognised as a national leader in health care, The Alfred has a commitment to biomedical research. This is made possible through strong partnerships with Monash University, La Trobe University, and several internationally recognised medical research organisations such as the Burnet Institute.