Alfred opens new unit to better care for burns victims

27 May 2011

Burn victims in Victoria will be better cared for following the opening of the newly refurbished Helen Macpherson Smith Burns Unit at The Alfred Hospital today by Premier Ted Baillieu and Minister for Health David Davis.

The Alfred Hospital cared for people with major burn injuries from across Victoria and played a vital role in treating victims of the Black Saturday bushfires.

The refurbishment of this facility – part of Alfred Health's Victorian Adult Burns Service – means The Alfred can better meet the complex needs of burns patients from across Victoria.

The Victorian Adult Burns Service admits more than 300 burns patients and cares for more than 1000 outpatients every year.

The service provides acute care for severely-injured burns victims, reconstructive surgery, rehabilitation services, outpatient services for people with minor burns and training for rural clinicians.

Mr Baillieu said the Victorian Coalition Government contributed $1.1 million towards the refurbishment, complementing The Alfred Foundation's great effort in raising $1.5 million for the project.

"This unit has been designed with especially close attention to infection control and will also include key features such as new patient hoists and dedicated en-suite bathrooms," Mr Baillieu said.

The burns service originated in the aftermath of the Ash Wednesday bushfires over 20 years ago and is Victoria's leading provider of adult acute burns care.