MORE than seven per cent of the patients flown to The Alfred hospital in 2013-2014 were from the Greater South Coast region.
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Figures released by the hospital show that 24 people with major trauma from the Warrnambool, Moyne, Corangamite, Glenelg, and Southern Grampians local government areas were flown to The Alfred, which is the state’s major trauma treatment hospital.
The figures were released as The Alfred launched its annual Father’s Day Appeal, which raises funds for the hospital’s emergency and trauma centre.
The figures show the hospital treated 1078 people with major trauma who were flown in from across Victoria, 30 per cent of those from regional areas.
The top three most common injuries were due to falls of less than one metre in height, motor vehicle accidents and falls from a height. The next most common were injuries from motorbike accidents and cycling.
The Alfred’s emergency and trauma centre director, Dr de Villiers Smit, said 73.2 per cent of major trauma cases were men.
Men were more likely to participate in risk-taking behaviour such as driving fast or recklessly and it’s usually men who fall from ladders by not taking as many precautions as they should, Dr Smit said.
“Our major trauma patients have multiple, serious injuries such as life-changing head injuries, which will require many months of recovery and rehabilitation.
“At The Alfred we see more people surviving these experiences due to improved trauma care, but our message of prevention remains the same — drive slower, don’t drink and drive, and be careful on ladders.”
People wanting to support The Alfred’s Men’s Health Father’s Day Appeal can SMS ‘Dad’ to 0400 807 807 or visit www.fathersdayappeal.org.au