The Alfred Foundation: A Report to The Alfred ... - Alfred Hospital

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Landmark study favoursmodern anaestheticsLaughing gas or nitrous oxide, the anaesthetic of choice for the last 160 years, mayno longer be the best option for patients undergoing major surgery, according to alandmark international study published in June 2007.The Alfred Foundation: A Report to The Alfred Community 2006/2007A world first, The ENIGMA Trialinvolved 18 hospitals and over 2000patients across Australia, the Asia-Pacific and the UK to evaluate theeffectiveness of nitrous oxide as ananaesthetic. It was headed by TheAlfred’s Director of Anaesthesia andPerioperative Medicine, Professor PaulMyles (pictured).“Nitrous oxide was the first anaestheticgas and since 1846 has been used bymost anaesthetists for most operations,”Paul said.Professor Myles received a rare honour for services toanaesthesia from his peers in the UK when he accepted anHonorary Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists inJune 2007.The fellowship recognises his achievements in both evidencebasedpractice and the conduct of large multi-centre trials inanaesthesia.“It’s cheap, easy to use and been aroundso long, clinicians are familiar with itsstrengths and weaknesses.”Although anaesthetists have longdebated the pros and cons of nitrousoxide – especially over the past decade –Paul said that until a large comparativetrial like ENIGMA was conducted, itseffectiveness couldn’t be adequatelymeasured.“We found patients experienced fasterand better recovery in the first hoursafter surgery when they did not receivenitrous oxide,” he said. “Althoughstill a very useful drug, the value ofnitrous oxide is therefore lessenedwhen compared with more modernanaesthetic drugs, which are shortacting,reliable and also safe when usedby trained anaesthetists using modernanaesthetic machines.“Most anaesthetic doctors at TheAlfred no longer use nitrous oxide asa routine,” he continued, “and basedon the results of our study, we thinkanaesthetists all over the world will alsonow choose the gas less often.”Paul said it was an important marker for the speciality ofanaesthesia in Australia and at The Alfred. “It’s an honourto have our work recognised by peers on the other side of theworld,” he said.“For me, it cements the notion that we are doing quality workhere at The Alfred – and this is where all my achievements inanaesthesia have grown.”
Women@TheAlfred is the name of a group ofwomen working to raise awareness of men’shealth issues in general and Prostate Cancerin particular.Their objective is to enable TheAlfred to purchase state-of-the-artequipment to help fight illnessesaffecting men.Fourteen women started the groupin August 2001 and at that timetheir committee was called PrivateMens Business.The women wanted theirfundraising efforts to achievemaximum impact and still beenjoyable to do, but they are realisticbusy professionals with manydemands on their time – so theydecided to concentrate on hostingone seriously fabulous annual event.The function is an ‘invite only’luncheon and is scheduled tocoincide roughly with Fathers’ Dayfor the very simple reason thatProstate Cancer affects men.In only five years the popularity ofthis special luncheon has expandedexponentially. In fact, due to theenergies, ‘can do’ attitudes andevent-organising talents of thewomen, it has metamorphosisedinto one of the most successfulsingle fundraising events in theMelbourne calendar.And yet the atmosphere at thelunch keeps its original integrity.“Yes, it’s a friendly, informative andpersonal event while staying true toits serious purpose, not just anothercorporate function!” says Chairman,Carolyn Stubbs.The 2006 Annual Chairman’s Lunchwas held in the Members’ DiningRoom at the MCG. There were44 Women@The Alfred members,each of whom hosted a table of9 men.Strongly supported by Mercedes-Benz, Australia, the group raised anastonishing $310,000. This moneywas used to purchase an Endosuite– a suite of instruments allowingminimally invasive keyhole surgeryfor many urological conditionsincluding Prostate Cancer andTesticular Cancer. Other keycorporate partners included HospiraAustralia and Smorgon Steel.Penny Wren and Philippa FinneyPaige Fitzroy and Leanne WallWomen@The Alfredthink that Prostate Cancer is adisease insufficiently recognised in thepast. They also believe that when it comesto looking after their own health,men can sometimes be ratherostrich-like.Back row: CarolynStubbs (standing),Maureen Hafey, DameJanet Spooner, PamZelcer, Assunta PellicanoFront row, left to right:Loren Brown, KarenPlant, Beverley Agosta
Page 2 and 3: Chairman’s ReportThe Alfred Found
Page 4 and 5: Inspiring Mount AspiringChallengeDa
Page 8 and 9: Golden Glamour GlowsGuests frocked
Page 10 and 11: The Alfred FoundationOur Major Dono
Page 12: The Alfred Foundation Donors2006/20
Page 17 and 18: Fathers’ Day 2006In September 200
Page 19 and 20: Financial Summary 2006/2007Financia

The Alfred Foundation: A Report to The Alfred ... - Alfred Hospital

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?