Alfred Health

The hardest conversations to have can often be the most important. It’s why we partnered with our friends at the Epilepsy Foundation and Monash University in the creation of a video to improve clinicians’ awareness of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). The sudden, unexpected death of someone from epilepsy often occurs during sleep with no clear cause. The best way of preventing SUDEP is to lower the person’s risk by preventing seizures. Senior Research Fellow and Head of SUDEP Research at Alfred Health Dr Shobi Sivathamboo said patients and families are often completely unaware of SUDEP, and that needs to change. “The possibility of dying from epilepsy is daunting — patients have a right to know, but clinicians are often reluctant to talk about it,” said Dr Sivathamboo. “While SUDEP risk can’t be eliminated altogether, empowering patients to make informed decisions and manage their risk starts with conversations like this.” The video is being shared across our professional network and can be viewed by anyone here: https://bit.ly/3OFCyHg

As our Women’s Recovery Network (Wren) celebrates its first birthday, the team behind it remains more focused than ever on increasing access to the pioneering mental health service. When Wren opened in 2023 it was in response to recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Victoria’s mental health system. The review called for the creation of a single gender mental health service. One year later, Wren remains Australia’s only single gender ward accessible through the public health system. It’s a safe space that director of the Women’s Statewide Mental Health Service Dr Jennifer Babb describes as a crucial service for Victorian women. “Wren is what happens when we listen and act,” Dr Babb said. “It’s why Wren is so much more than a women’s only unit; it delivers gender specific and trauma informed care.” While visiting Wren and meeting with clinical and lived experience staff, Victoria’s Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt described the service as “a real exemplar of for the rest of the state.” “This is what the reform to our mental health system is all about,” Minister Stitt said. “It’s being able to make lasting change to the services that are available, as well as building new models of care.”

This Sunday, 1st December is World AIDS Day. It’s a day to come together in the fight against HIV and remember those we have lost to an AIDS-related illness. HIV Prevention Nurse Heidi Metcalf said it’s also a day to show support to those who are living and thriving with HIV in 2024. “It’s not the HIV from the 90s or 2000s. Thanks to antiretroviral treatment, there is a growing volume of patients in our community who are living long, productive lives with HIV,” said Heidi. “The experience of HIV is like living with any other chronic condition. For people living with HIV, it's something to be aware of but it does not define them.” You can show your support by wearing a red ribbon. A booth staffed by our wonderful friends and volunteers at Thorne Harbour Health has been set up in the main corridor of The Alfred.

Victorian cancer patients receiving immunotherapy are set to benefit from new research which has potential to improve treatment outcomes while at the same time reducing unwanted side effects. The Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) Centre for Dynamic Immuno-Oncology will be established at the Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre, placing Victoria at the forefront of global immunology research, thanks to a $2 million grant awarded to The Alfred and Monash University. Director of Oncology at The Alfred, Prof Mark Shackleton, who attended the announcement event hosted by Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC (pictured, with Alfred oncologist A/Prof Martin Cherk), said the centre will support advancements in immunotherapy by being able to understand a patient’s unique immune response as it happens. “By combining advanced imaging technology with cutting-edge tools to study cancer immunology at a cellular level, we will gain unprecedented insights into how immunotherapies work,” Prof Shackleton said. More: https://bit.ly/3VeNhMf

The idea of going to hospital can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be. That’s why our friends at Sandringham Hospital put together H is for Hospital, a video series showing some of the typical things a child will experience in their journey through the Emergency Department. Watching this series with your child may help alleviate some anxieties and help answer some of their questions ahead of time. You can watch the full series here: https://bit.ly/4g2kfHN

We're extending an invitation to our community to join us for the Alfred Health Annual Meeting. You will be able to hear about our achievements and results from 2023-2024, as well as our plans for the coming year. The meeting will be held online and in person on Wednesday 4 December from 1–2pm at The Alfred. To register, and for more information, please visit https://bit.ly/4hZWgux

Important conversations about patient care, clinical trials, the development of new therapies and wellness approaches were had when the Victorian Minister for Health visited us at the Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre yesterday. With Paula Fox also with us to see the power of her philanthropy in action, Minister Mary-Anne Thomas MP met with scientists, researchers and clinicians as she took another look at the centre we opened on St Kilda Road just six months ago – an important part of our wider cancer program that continues to support our community.

Surrounded by their loved ones, Koo Wee Rup couple Joel and Jaala exchanged vows in a moving ceremony in the Tony Charlton Memorial Garden at The Alfred last week. After being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2022, Joel has spent the last two and a half years with his young family by his side, bravely battling the disease. Sadly, Joel’s cancer is now no longer responding to treatment and the couple was forced to cancel their planned wedding in December. Joined by many of the staff who have been caring for Joel in his last years, Joel and Jaala married on site in the courtyard, with the sun shining and the love of the entire Alfred community around them. “Joel and Jaala are vibrant people with big hearts and together they created their dream, living and working on their farm with their two children,” Reineke Ryan, Manager Spiritual Care said. Reineke said that together, Spiritual Care, Social Work, Volunteer Services and The Alfred Foundation wanted to find a way to celebrate and recognise the couple's love and life together, while Joel was here in hospital. “It was a beautiful ceremony and an important gathering where Joel and Jaala were held in love. A moment that will carry much impact as Joel has entered the last phase of his life.” Our support and love is with the newlyweds and their family and friends, and we thank them for the privilege of spending this important day with them. Photos supplied with thanks to Capture the Wild Photography.

South Gippsland patients have access to specialist clinical care closer to home, thanks to a partnership that has been recognised as a finalist in tonight's Victorian Public Healthcare Awards. Since 2017, we’ve been working with Bass Coast Health to deliver care across eight specialities, including cancer, heart and brain. This means patients living in areas including Wonthaggi, Cowes and Inverloch have access to leading doctors from The Alfred, and can receive the same level of care available in large metro hospitals. At the same time, they also have improved access to many lifesaving clinical trials, without having to commit to long distance travel. Director of Oncology at The Alfred, Prof Mark Shackleton (pictured with patient Laurie) said the initiative was proving lifechanging for patients. “Patients often tell me how much of difference it makes to no longer have to travel over five hours each time they need treatment,” Prof Shackleton said. “They often tell me how thankful they are to have this time back so they can get on with supporting their families as parents and grandparents, or even just be more regularly engaged at work.” Congratulations to all the very worthy nominees in tonight's awards and the best of luck.

Along with our proud concierges Dwayne and Kim, we are thrilled to announce that our Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre has been recognised by the world design community, winning this year’s best new health building at the World Architecture Festival Awards in Singapore. The result of years of collaboration between patients, donors and builders, and designed by Lyons, the centre incorporates design themes of hope, wellbeing and a personalised approach to care. The Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre also makes use of green spaces and retreat areas to produce a calming community-based experience. Congratulations to everyone involved in the design and build of our centre.