The Alfred, Melbourne, VIC Videos

Nurses are commonly the first faces that patients see when arriving in an emergency department. They are also among those who leave the most lasting impression. You can learn more about our extraordinary team of emergency nurses in the clip below, and discover the full length video via: https://bit.ly/4cyvdTk

The world around us continues to change. As we face new pressures, we also embrace new ways of providing care, advancing research and applying emerging technologies. The Alfred Health Strategic Plan 2024-30 is a guide that will help us navigate the next six years. It will lead us to drive innovation that responds effectively to challenges, while harnessing opportunities that support our ambition to improve the health of our community. Our Director of Research, Prof Stephen Jane said the great excitement about the future of Alfred Health is the burning ambition to continue to improve. “We really are looking to the stars for greater improvement in all aspects of patient care. That’s a journey we all want to be part of.” Clinicians, carers, consumers and patients have all helped shape the direction of this ambitious strategic plan and we are pleased to share this with you. For more on our new Strategic Plan 2024-30 check out our launch video or visit https://bit.ly/45mIkEY

Inviting the foods of places like Greece and Italy into your kitchens is often referred to as the Mediterranean Diet. This diet encourages eating an abundance of fruits, vegetables, wholegrain carbohydrates and red meat alternatives – and research shows is linked to a variety of health benefits. Two of our dietitians Tim and Ashley have combined in the below video to shed some light on the benefits of the Mediterranean Diet, and offer some quick tips on how to get started. To learn more about making sustainable changes to your diet, including which foods are right for you, reach out to a community dietitian through your GP or local community health centre.

For the up to 20 per cent of women who suffer from a condition known as Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), the days leading up to their period can often feel like an almost insurmountable challenge. PMDD manifests as a severe major depression that is linked to a woman’s menstrual period, explains Professor Jayashri Kulkarni AM, Director of the Multidisciplinary Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre (MAPrc) and HER Centre Australia. “It comes on cyclically, related to the menstrual cycle, and is due to fluctuations in the gonadal hormones oestrogen, progesterone and the other hormones,” said Prof Kulkarni. “But it’s in the brain that this is all happening.” But for those suffering from PMDD, seeking or finding help for their symptoms can often be challenging, with understandings of the impact that hormones can have on mental health only now beginning to grow. Watch the video to learn more, and be sure to speak with your GP if you feel you need advice and support.

Chris and Stephanie know first-hand how overwhelming a melanoma diagnosis can be. Diagnosed with melanoma when they were young, both live in regional Victoria and receive their cancer care at The Alfred. Hear their stories of hope, and what the Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre means to them.

The legacy of almost three decades of HIV care at Fairfield House is set to live on, with the upcoming opening of the new Fairfield Centre at The Alfred. To view the full video and learn more, visit: https://bit.ly/3Us9Dc0

There are few things in our diet as essential to our body’s overall health as drinking enough water and staying hydrated. So, for Dietitian's Week this week, we thought we'd ask one of Alfred Health's many expert dietitians to talk us through why hydration is so important and how to make sure you're drinking enough fluids.

How to check your skin with Dr Alex Chamberlain
No one knows your skin better than you. That’s why checking your skin spots and moles regularly is one of the best ways to pick up any changes, and stop melanoma in its tracks. All you need to do is look out for significant change in size, shape or colour, and ‘ugly ducklings’ – moles that don’t look like those around them. Hear from Dr Alex Chamberlain from the Victorian Melanoma Service at The Alfred, as he talks us through the ABCDEs of melanoma. And be all over melanoma. For more info visit: https://bit.ly/42zZrSv

No one knows your skin better than you. Today is Check for Spots Day, and we’re urging you to check your skin and be all over melanoma. Two-in-three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime and approximately 2000 Australians will lose their lives to the disease each year. But detected early, most melanoma is curable. Check for Spots Day was established by Melbourne couple, Peter and Julie, after their daughter Morgan lost her battle to melanoma at the age of 25. To find out more about how simple it is to Check for Spots, visit https://t.ly/Y68EF And be all over melanoma.

Here for you this Christmas.
We are health care workers. We’re here for you, 24/7, whatever the season. We will give you our absolute best care, to get you back to your best. But that’s not all that we are. We are parents. We’re sports enthusiasts. We are friends, partners, colleagues. We are food lovers, music lovers. We’re adventurers. We understand the value of life. For us, every moment counts. We believe in making life better, because we know how precious it is. From us to you, have a safe and happy festive season.

Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre
Take a quick peek at the Alfred Lane side of the Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre build. It's really taking shape now! Not long until the centre's complete and we open the doors in early 2024. For more information about the centre, visit https://bit.ly/3rFUg5p

Join the ICU nursing team
The Alfred Intensive Care Unit is the state leader for trauma, burns, ECMO and hyperbaric care. But it's also home to an incredibly dedicated, educated and supportive team of nursing professionals. Hear from some of them about what it's like to work in Australia's biggest ICU. We're looking for nurses to join our team. If you're interested, visit: https://bit.ly/43b0uaa

Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre - Topping Out
Work on the $152.4 million Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre has now reached its tallest point at level seven. This week, we were joined by major donor Paula Fox and her son Andrew, along with Victorian Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas MP, and our Minderoo Foundation and Monash University partners to celebrate the achievement. These national partnerships are vital to making the shared vision of changing cancer care a reality, said Alfred Health chief executive Prof Andrew Way. "The cutting-edge clinical trials that will happen on this site will mean patients have access to the best treatment available, and technology will further breakdown some of the most significant barriers to care and early detection.” Read more here: https://bit.ly/3PjGMWB

The Alfred is home to the biggest ICU in Australia and we're looking for nurses to join the team. Find out more about the incredible opportunities available at our ICU open night on Thursday 22 June. To register, go to: https://bit.ly/3IVJRbd

Celerating clinical trials
There are currently 650 clinical trials running across Alfred Health - which means 650 opportunities to find innovative new treatments for patients. To celebrate World Clinical Trials Day, we asked some of our researchers to share a bit about working in the field. More: https://bit.ly/45bg1Je

International Nurses Day
Happy International Nurses Day to the 4500+ incredible nurses who work across Alfred Health. The care and dedication of our nursing force is crucial to the positive outcomes so many of our patients experience. Today and every day – we say thank you. Hear from three of our nurses why they do what they do, and check out our website for their full interviews: https://bit.ly/3Bhefsk

Portrait of Row
We’d like to introduce you to a Portrait of Row – our new telephone on-hold music. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 Mark Green’s wife Row had a medical emergency. She required high level care and was flown from her home in Tasmania to The Alfred for treatment. Mark was unable to travel with her but was constantly on the phone to her treating team. “I’d hear the hold music, which began to get quite upsetting for me. It didn’t reflect what I was seeing and hearing from the hospital staff when I spoke to them,” he said. “After she passed away, I would hear the hold music in other places and couldn’t continue with those phone calls.” With the memory of his wife’s loving spirit, Mark reached out to Alfred Health and with the help of the health service, was able to connect with a composer and musicians. Together they brought a piece of music to life, and we now have Portrait of Row, which will be Alfred Health’s hold music going forward. Read Row's story here: https://bit.ly/3nZpUss

#Dietitiansimprovelives
Until we've needed their help, many people wouldn't be aware of the integral role dietitians play in the patient journey. Michael shares how the nutrition team - along with all the other incredible medical teams - helped him battle cancer. #dietitiansimprovelives #dietitiansweek2023

Merry Christmas from Alfred Health
Our frontline staff came together this week to share their thanks and seasons greetings to our community. Thank you for your support and kindness during this busy year. On behalf of everyone at Alfred Health, we'd like to wish you a safe, happy and restful holiday period. Merry Christmas.

When experiencing a stroke, fast action can be the difference between life and death – a fact Stephen Fullarton knows all too well. Stephen was out enjoying the surf last summer when he suffered a massive stroke. But thanks to the fast action of those in the water with him, Stephen is here to tell his story. “A group of locals came to my aid and managed to drag me across the reef, hold me up in a crevice and keep me above water until an ambulance arrived,” he said. Stephen was quickly stabilised and flown to The Alfred. “There were thoughts that I may not be able to speak or walk again… but I proved them wrong,” he said. “I worked very hard on my balance and walking and now I can do most things I used to do. “It’s so wonderful to be able to get back to where I was… the next chapter will be a beauty.” Stephen shares his journey as we recognise National Stroke Week: https://bit.ly/3p4PM3r