Thank you to patient James and wife Jaime for helping us spread the message about always being cautious around flames, especially over this hot long weekend. Dr Heather Cleland, director of the Burns Unit, is one of our many staff helping James get back on his feet.

Congratulations to Adjunct Professor John Kelly, head of the Victorian Melanoma Service at The Alfred, on being awarded the Member of the Order of Australia. Prof. Kelly received the award for significant service to medicine through the management and treatment of melanoma, as a clinician and administrator, and to education. Prof. Kelly is a dermatologist and founded the Victorian Melanoma Service in 1994.

Congratulations to our senior neurosurgeon Professor Jeffrey Rosenfeld on receiving Australia’s highest civilian award. The Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) acknowledges achievement and merit of the highest degree in service to the nation and humanity at large. Prof. Rosenfeld is acknowledged for his extensive career in neurosurgery, including at The Alfred, along with research into traumatic brain injury, epilepsy in children and bionic vision. He’s also recognised for his work in warzones treating injured soldiers and civilians. “I feel privileged to receive this award and I will cherish it,” Prof. Rosenfeld said. Read more here: http://bit.ly/2FiTTQz

Staff in our Burns Unit are asking the community to be vigilant around fires this Australia Day long weekend. Many patients at The Alfred sustained their injuries from misusing accelerants like petrol and kerosene, and while under the influence. “Drinking alcohol around flames increases the risk of serious injury as judgment can be impaired. It’s an important time to be alert,” said director of the Burns Unit, Dr Heather Cleland. In the year July 2016 to June 2017, The Alfred cared for more than 330 people with serious burn injuries - up from 280 in the previous year. Read more here: http://bit.ly/2DBeCCJ

One year ago, Melbourne was rocked by the shocking incident on Bourke Street that changed the lives of many. Anniversaries can stir up powerful emotions – sometimes unexpectedly. If you were affected by the Bourke Street tragedy, or you find yourself upset as a result of news or social media coverage, consider talking to a friend, family member or your GP. Help is also available at: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/trauma-reaction-and-recovery

Even if you're working inside on days like today, it's really important to keep hydrated. Ashlee, Michelle and Mary on ward 4 East are taking extra care to look after themselves and their patients by keeping their fluids up. For the elderly and people on certain medications, hot weather can be especially dangerous. Learn more here: http://bit.ly/2EauQi1

The number of serious injuries sustained from falling or tripping is increasing – impacting more lives than vehicle accidents. The year got off to a painful start for some, after a spike in falls saw almost 180 people rushed to our Emergency and Trauma Centre over the Christmas/New Year period. This worrying trend has prompted falls specialist Dr Helen Ackland to issue a warning – especially to those using a ladder to complete home maintenance projects this summer. Read more here: http://bit.ly/2DoKjhq Have you completed our short survey? You’ll have a chance to win a $100 Bunnings voucher and inform our community safety campaigns: http://bit.ly/2DwnLco

A surge in STIs following the world wars and the sexual revolution, and a drop after the advent of antibiotics, were just some of the historical sexual health trends revealed in new research by Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC). The trends were uncovered after researchers analysed 99 years of medical data recorded at the centre, which celebrates its centenary this year. In the most comprehensive Australian study of its kind, lead researchers Professor Christopher Fairley and Dr Eric Chow discovered key information which they hope could help them better understand societal factors that influence STI rates within the community. The data also revealed current rates of gonorrhoea and syphilis have increased to levels not seen since the 1980s. More: http://bit.ly/2FG1cCE

While summer is a great time to be out and about with family and friends, for more than 15,000 Victorians it will also include a visit to our busy emergency and trauma centre. Each year, we see thousands of people involved in accidents that could have been prevented. We want you to 'Stay Safe Over Summer', but we need your help. Complete our short 'Stay Safe Over Summer' survey for your chance to win a $100 Bunnings gift card. At the same time, your answers will inform future community awareness campaigns aimed at spreading safety messages and, hopefully, save lives. Complete the survey: http://bit.ly/2DwnLco

In the last 12 months we cared for 335 new burns patients in hospital. Most were injured when using accelerants around flames, like throwing fuel onto campfires and BBQs. This week we welcomed CFA Chief Officer Steve Warrington to The Alfred to discuss a closer partnership focused on burns prevention in the community. Our burns unit director, Dr Heather Cleland, said most burns victims requiring time in hospital are young men, whose injuries and scarring stay with them for life.

We welcomed our new medical interns this week and they're ready and raring to go! The cohort of 58 fresh faces will be working across all medical departments throughout the hospital, learning the most high-level care from our existing staff.

No matter your age, exercising in high temperatures can lead to heatstroke and death. Alfred Health physicians warn that if your sweat can’t evaporate fast enough to keep the body at 37°C, organs can fail. Staying sufficiently hydrated also becomes much harder in the heat, increasing the risk of serious illness. Read more about preventing heatstroke here: http://bit.ly/2EauQi1