I was airlifted to The Alfred trauma center after having my son. I was 10 days postpartum they fixed me up brought in a specialist surgeon from The Royal Women's Hospital. I was there for 5 days! They looked after me so well they are amazing! I can't speak highly enough of the Air Crew right through to the Doctors and Nurses. That was 30 years ago in December. They are even more amazing these days! Thank U All!
So proud of every individual involved in the running of The Alfred Trauma Centre. You rightly deserve to be recognised as one of the world leaders in this field. An Alfred trained nurse.
our hospitals are great but we do have a lot of clerical set backs when it comes to new innovations in medical science, people often have to travel far away to receive specialised treatment that isn't legally allowed in Australia.
Really? Wow. That's awesome. Here in the USA its definitely become driven by money. It's clear and apparent. I've now worked in multiple hospitals here.
We have the BEST Health care system. It's called the FANTASTIC NHS. And there are other Countries in the world that DO NOT Pay for our health care. People should know they're facts before commenting that Australia is the only health care system in the World that it's citizens don't pay for they're health care. 😠
Our Ambos are some of the best in the world, been in the back of a van a few times and they take great care of you with fantastic empathy for their patients.
Ambulance: Australia is one of my favorites!!!! They all seem like not only amazing paramedics but also just equally great people as well!!!!! 💕💕💕💕 much love from America ❤️🇺🇸🇦🇺
I had a life threatening MVR 2016. Not only did the teams at the Alfred save my life but they saved my arm from Amputation. Yes the world's Best trauma centre full stop.
I can say Australia has a fantastic medical system compared to alot of countries. And we have free healthcare. Our emergency and medical professionals do a wonderful job and dont get paid enough. Selfless people, that put others in front of there own. Thankyou , proud to bed Australian xx
What you describe is not typical. I am 68 years old and on the age pension. In all those years I have never waited more than one hour to be triaged and manybe a couple of hours to be ushured in if its not life treatening. Sometimes it does get crowded but if you can't breathe or your heart looks like giving up there is no delay. Many people try to game the system and turn up at emergency with something that could be treated by your GP. If thats the case then you will have to wait. Obviously the reality varies across different hospitals in the city. Westmead is the biggest hospital in the system serving about 3m people in Sydneys west. It does get busy. If you are in a car accident and need urgent free assistance this is the country to be living in. By and large though it works well.
@über alles rennen the rooms are nasty because the ppl in the room before you trashed it. But those that go in are intoxicated or have mental issues. Even the emergency room around my area in the US gets like that. Housekeeping are only allowed to do certain things. Biological material by someone else. Make a complaint next visit. Our ER n hospital where I am have the highest death rates in waiting room plus lawsuits including one of mine. Now new owner, new laws.
Actually I've had direct experience with tertiary referrals from Canada and I can say that, based on my own experience, the quality of care available to Canadians with access to major metro. areas is excellent.
My 19 yr old cousin died from a torn aorta the car accident was head on but the speed was 30 mph he got out of the car asked the others if they were ok then he collapsed and died. His chest hit the steering wheel and the only sign of injury from the outside just a small bruise. Cam was so very lucky and I'm glad of that❤
Our first responders (Paramedics, Nurses, Doctors, Firies, SES etc etc) put great effort and lengths to save a people's lives. They don't deserve to be disrespected nor be harmed but sadly more and more aussies are forgetting this now.
The world needs more Waynes. Having so many super specialists on hand also helps save lives. The Alfred is set up for the worst trauma imaginable, or even unimaginable. Lots of goo equipment, heaps of absurdly well trained staff, iron confidence and not a hand quiver anywhere. There has to be more of The Alfred everywhere.
The same ICU that saved my life on ECMO and advanced life support in May 2020... Forever thankful to all the staff & medical professionals who have given me a second chance at life. The Alfred Hospital is truly Brilliant!!
Kevin Fong is an excellent prehospital Dr. Worked alongside here in the UK when he was a HEMS Dr long after this programme was made. He's an anaesthetist by trade. Lovely chap
This so true He is and i'm feel for him he is so gentlemen and visitors lots of Truamaunits at hospt He was in one of South Africa Truama Units if I'm remember to
I’m ambulance service and Dr Fong used to work on the Air Ambulance in my old area here in the UK. Was always a pleasure to work with him. Most Air Ambulances in the UK do now fly at night.
What an amazing documentary! I watch a lot of medical documentaries and this by far is the most informative, well presented and interesting program with a great balance of the back story and procedure, without being "drawn out and too wordy". Well done 👏
It's great that in your country, the common man's money paid as taxes are utilised partly for medical aid. In my country, taxes paid by common man goes for rehabilitation program of cows but not for humans. The health services are too much degraded in India. Very few doctors, no ventilators, no space/bed for patient, long never ending waiting que for tests. The list is to lengthy.
You think anybody else doesn't pay, come to the UK our NHS is for the benefit of anybody else in the world bar Brit's...And if you query them their answer is "Well it's free" ...I've been paying weekly through my wages since I started work part time at 15 yrs of age...
@@TheHynzee Still the systems in the UK and Australia are far more economical and effective than in the U.S. where workers like me have paid high premiums of hundreds of dollars per month and still have to pay co-pays and high deductibles of around a thousand or more per year before any insurance benefits are actually paid and then still get bills from doctors and hospitals. Our taxes pay nothing toward health care except for a Medicare tax we have to pay for the elderly which when you finally get that coverage, it still costs $144 per month and doesn't cover but 80% of any costs.
On the 13th May 2006 Melbourne Doctors and to a very large degree NURSES saved my life after a blast wound injury to my body. The thing that makes these guys amazing is the fact that they dont just save your life but they repair you so well that so many complications and outcomes that are normally encountered with certain injuries/trauma are minimised giving you such a better chance of A./ survival but B./ as normal a life as possible post trauma!. True Angels...such a blessing my accident happened in Victoria ...Best place to be in the world if injured! x
This documentary gives great insight about working in the ER. Medical school and fire academy are a couple of my options after college, and this really gives me a good perspective about going into emergency medicine.
I bet it's hard for Dr. Fong, as a physician himself, to function as a non-participating observer rather than a participant. It seemed at times he was anxious, like he wanted to jump in and help.
It's a high stress environment where everyone are peak performing and where you do NOT want to stand in their way, so he is a bit anxious about the patients outcome mixed with concern about not being in the way of the team intervention
I figure if the staff REALLY needed his help, they would ask. Which got me thinking- because Dr. Fong wasn't an employee of the hospital would it be illegal or against policy if he did participate...
@@the.mermaid.scientist he would not be able to participate as he is unlikely to be accredited to practice medicine within Australia, and extremely unlikely to be accredited to practice within the hospital. Each hospital has a duty of care to ensure the staff working their are trained and have the correct credentials before they are allowed to touch a patient.
I was working at The Alfred during the construction of the helipad. During this time, the ward I was working on (orthopaedics and general surgery), had to take the road trauma patients. It was fascinating and frightening but I learned so much during that period. It was great to see the patients, so traumatised to begin with, recover enough to go home or to rehabilitation. Ironically, I am now a patient at The Alfred awaiting elective surgery. Circle of life.
We have fantastic medical care. It’s a blessing to know that while we are out and about enjoying our sun kissed land that if anything untoward should ever happen to us, that there are those strangers in uniform who will risk their lives and do everything within their capabilities to save us.
I thank god I live in Australia, my husband had a quad bypass some years ago, we never spent a cent and had the best surgeon in our state and my most recent operation ankle fusion I had a top surgeon and all follow up on the public system, Im still having ongoing physiotherapy at no cost, I choose not to have private cover as we have a low income but at least I have the choice
You can tell it's an Australian hospital because their biggest issue is car crashes - not gun shots, knife wounds, acid attacks etc. like you see overseas.
Bernie Sanders we are next to Asia, we have a very large Muslim population with mosques and halal butchers everywhere but we have good social services and really strict gun and knife laws. Guns are very hard to get, shootings even of one person create headlines and news coverage even if the person lives, even if shots get fired at a house -that gets on the news. That's what it is like here that's our reality. Our hospitals are free unless you choose to go private, this hospital is public and 100% free whether it's for trauma or general admission. Our hospitals are not clogged up with shootings which must really help our health budget.
the word you are grasping for is PROFESSIONAL. aussies are huge on medical research, proactivity etc. there is no room for slacking or judgementalism or self indulgence that lets down so many people elsewhere. as for victorian hospital design - the new north american and uk pfi crap is even worse while costing more. when the attitude is wrong the death rates are high - the urge to profiteer in medicine means everyone loses. my experience in oz (vs canada, uk, germany, usa, portugal) has me admiring their achievement and wondering why on earth the nhs hasn't poached oz talent (that attitude thing again - ignorance is bliss). the uk has major talent, it just needs competent management
Aussie has always been the place where the kid hits a six in Cricket, and the next kid tries to hit a longer six. A long six is the same value as a short six, but this shows everywhere where there is a real wish to go as far as possible, beat the odds, and find better ways to win. It's not competition *against* eachother, but competition against the ODDs.
The reason the nhs hasn't poached much oz medicine talent is because the work life balance for doctors in emergency medicine is absolute dogshit and has a significantly high burnout rate. Hence why a lot of NHS doctors come to Australia. Prehospital though they have taken quite a few Australian graduate paramedics because they had a shortage of paramedics and Australia had an oversupply of graduate paramedics and are well trained.
Makes me so proud of the hospitals and help we all have here it’s great, everyone does an amazing job ! also watching this makes me proud as I’m currently studying to become a paramedic ☺️
@@alisonmason7990 A couple of weeks ago, I had a heart attack. If not for the ambulance crew and the emergency department team, I'd be dead. So, I really do love and appreciate them.
Saved my parents after a head on collision The head of trauma surgery told me my mum survived the unsurvivable in younger people Mum was 73 at the time Fantastic staff Shame the patients rooms are old and tired though Icu was fantastic very modern Great staff
For goodness sake I will never understand why woul a politician earn more money then a doctor who basically saves lives. These doctors are the real heros in our society.... Hat off to them
A family member went to Australia, and they said that a lot of people don’t wear seatbelts, is that true? Because that would certainly increase car crash fatalities. I really loved how it all came together and he showed how the hospital was built to make the trauma unit a UNIT, with everything you need within easy reach. That’s incredibly smart. Maybe they should knock a few walls down in London! :P
I mean sure some people probs dont wear seat belts but every country have those people. Like it isnt culturally encouraged. I will say though people's attitudes to car saftey can be pretty lax, especially our red p platers- normally the young males.
I have lived in US for twenty years but spent the first 26 years in Australia. The laws there are relatively strict compared to US. Most people I knew always wore their seat belts, but all countries are the same, there are people who do and people who dont, but the penalty makes them do it more I would say
I have had loads of experiences of Australian and New Zealand hospitals, having lots of chronic illnesses myself, and a daughter who was born with 6 life-threatening heart conditions? Australian hospitals are a bit better. The problem with most Ex's is people taking themselves and their children to ED when a GP could easily deal with their problems. The hospital has to see them.
@red Yellow your right, I’m an Irish Paramedic and while it’s true most places have adopted the BSc route to become paramedics, the mica paramedic is what all paramedics hope will become a thing over here. Victoria and MICA are world leaders
@@mandyclarke8013 I believe WA use "Ambulance Aussistants/Nurses" who are only first aid trained. Plus here in Vic we also have St John's ambulance at events etc
I will never forget when, during an internship, we managed to get a kid (about 9 years old) somewhat stable to the hospital after a high velocity car crash, and the CT scan showed that his skull was disconnected from his spine (despite spine immobilisation and that stuff on scene). He was braindead, body somehow still functioning despite being.. Well, quite literally dead. It broke my heart
I've watched a few documentaries about emergency rooms and one of the main differences I notice is how calm everyone is at The Alfred compared to one particular other country which I won't name. The medical staff there always seem more on the frantic side while assessing and treating patients - raised voices, rushing etc. Like they haven't got their teamwork down pat. They look like they're filming a drama and have been asked to hype it up, but they're not quite sure what part they're playing...
Absolutely correct in that observation ... and I think we all know which country you're referring to. The Aussie and Brit emergency rooms are quiet, calm and controlled with everyone knowing exactly what their job is.
I am not sure that’s completely fair. I suspect US hospitals are more rigidly run and hierarchical therefore they would readily be told what to do and say by the documentary teams which would have much freer access and control there than in other countries. Simply put they would be paying for access to film and the staff told to do whatever they were told. The filmmakers would be hyping the drama at every opportunity.
I live in United States and I heard that The Alfred is a world class hospital. I’m actually in the hospital myself right now battling a couple of big conditions including Covid. Covid is nasty.
The Americans need to take care of their citizens. Shameful that people are turned away from hospitals or they are bankrupted by the cost. Canada has the same universal health care. We pay through taxes and we are never turned away or bankrupted. No down side.
16:34 - I actually take comfort in the fact that this trauma surgeon is more concerned about the patient care and its accuracy and consistency than he is whether his identification as the team leader is upside down or not lolololol 🤣💕💕💕💕
He is on a learning expedition if one has to put it that way and if you listen clearly in the opening remarks he is travelling around the world to major trauma hospitals to observe and learn on how the handle major traumas.Plus you cant just enter another country hospital and decide to just help out,there are channels to go through.
Dr Kevin is wrong to say that the UK Air Ambulances don't fly at night, If he is right then how come the Devon Air Ambulance (England) Picked me up at 1.30am after I suffered a level 4 Brain Hemorage?
I live in the Philippines, the 1st time i went to a public hospital for An Ear infection i saw what was like scene from a horror movie, blood on the floor , Patients so close to each other (some sharing beds), and a women giving birth at the end of a hallway. People didn’t react much so it must been a norm, i definitely didn’t stay but now seeing this documentary i feel it’s important to compare different health systems to know what we lack and to improve on it. But it starts with increasing the standard and not allowing such things to be normal. If i knew there was a higher standard I would react then .
My brother in law had a heart transplant at 38. Over 3 million on cost and didn’t pay a penny. Saved his life and that of my sister and 3 young babies.
The car accident is just up the road from my house and I briefly worked on the 5th floor in the building next to The Alfred helipad. Always heard the helicopters come in. Would quietly say a prayer for the patient.
As a New Zealander I can say the healthcare system is pretty good. For example shortly before Christmas Day 2015 I put my hand through my bathroom window after an argument with my parents and it only costed my parents NZ $100 for the consultation local anesthesia,stitches and dressings the government paid the rest from tax revenue. Where as in America it would have costed $3000 or more.
With respect, Allah has nothing to do with it. It has to do with a medical system where resources are not rationed as a business, its a system where resources and expertise are provided on the basis of need. There is no fixed budget in this universal system. Its funded about 50/50 between the Federal and States budgets. There is a private insurance system but thats really for elective treatment, dentistry and some rehab. But if you go in for an operation via the private system, its the same surgeons you see here doing the care. The other thing that underpins it is that there is a maximum of $30 for any medicine, regardless of cost. For people over the age of 65, and if they are on a pension, that drops to $7. The drug companies agree on the price paid with the government who then foots the bill. In the case of Cameron (the aorta), from the moment the ambulance arrived at the car crash, right through to rehab and recovery, thats all free. Its based on bits of the NHS system in the UK where they have an exchange program, but tweaked where necessary. The New Zealand system is basically the same, but they extend it to tourists too. Here tourists use their travel insurance but if they don't have any, the ttreatment does not stop. They pay what the can afford. There is no chasing the money. I have lived in many countries, Japan and the USA. The Japanese system is the same as ours. In the USA, if you showed this comment to them they would call you socialists.
Many elective surgeries are covered under Medicare too. Although, this is where there will be a queue, and this is based on how waiting would impact your life. I live in Australia and I am very grateful for our medical system and Medicare. Mum and Dad died of cancer, my sister has had treatment for cancer, my sister-in-law died of cancer, and I had a lumpectomy for a breast cancer, not so long ago, but I was lucky and needed no further treatment (my sister was diagnosed, so I went in 6mths early to my FREE scan. I shudder to think what all of the medical bills and the pharmaceuticals that our family has had over the last 10-years or so adds up to. We also have the Silver Chain, which has a dedicated staff of doctors, nurses, people to help the sick bathe and cleaners who all provide coordinated care in people's homes. A family member or friend can also receive a carer's payment for helping to care for sick person in their homes and any equipment you need is loaned, free of charge.
+ Stephen in OZ I don't think Surgeons that operate for the private system will be found down in A&E. Thanks for my urologist taking Medicare as I'm on a old age pension & don't private insurance I have to wait until he can see me for operation if needed, & that can be months at a time. We do have a great system here in Australia, over the past 10 years with several stays in Hospital, operations, after care visits, X-rays & scans & home nurse once a month or more if needed, This would have to run into hundreds of thousands of dollars, all I have to pay for is my medicine.
Wish our Medical was better. Especially for the elderly. Our Medicare in the USA is awful. Covers 80 percent after $6,000 in bills throughout the year. Prescriptions are covered under certain insurance providers and depends on what medication you are on. An inhaler for my mom is no longer covered, which was previously up until 2 months ago, is now $300/month. Each month and year everything changes. Time to move to Australia. Lol. Seriously, my dad's rehabilitation bill is $200 a day after 20 days. 100 percent coverage the 1st-20th day.
Except for the San and St Vincents most private hospitals do not have emergency departments. At Royal North Shore you will get the same surgeon as in the public section. When its busy or a bad case comes in they get on the pager if they need more doctor resources. They get bonuses and less of a wait for their own private patients if they make themselves available. For the patient, thats invisible. St Vincents Private has a spill over from the Public. They pay the private of they need more beds. At RNS, the public part is now brand new and they have floore of spare capacity. They also contain the operating theatres and CTs etc that are made available to the Private patients. I have given birth to three kidney stones over the years at RNS. One of them was done as a private patient. It was the same urologist each time. As for trauma, the private hospitals don't do that at all. So when you next come in via an ambulance you just say you are a public patient. Then it all happens. For me I have a Commonwealth Healthcare Card so its all free anyway. That card also gets me free dental through NSW Health, though there can be a bit of a wait. If you have broken a tooth and are in agony they give you a voucher and send you to a private dentist immediately. Back in March I was bashed in the mouth buy a burglar. I lost four front teeth. They fitted me up with a temporary plate and in four months I am getting six implants.
I was airlifted to The Alfred trauma center after having my son. I was 10 days postpartum they fixed me up brought in a specialist surgeon from The Royal Women's Hospital. I was there for 5 days! They looked after me so well they are amazing! I can't speak highly enough of the Air Crew right through to the Doctors and Nurses. That was 30 years ago in December. They are even more amazing these days!
Thank U All!
So proud of every individual involved in the running of The Alfred Trauma Centre. You rightly deserve to be recognised as one of the world leaders in this field.
An Alfred trained nurse.
as a fellow Aussie, I respect you coming and see how a medical system done right WORKS.
Ain't perfect but it works.
The NHS works too. The common trend is that social healthcare works.
The Alfred saved my father many years ago, giving him 26 more years with us until the other valve in his heart failed. I thank them, every day.
Karen Fuchsbichler I’m so sorry. I am glad he got to have 26 extra years with his lovely family. Stay 💪.
Amazing medical care at The Alfred. The doctors and nurses really care about people. I’m so grateful to them for saving my life.
The way how Dr.Kevin explains the scenes well detailed knowing how he knows the process very well as being a doctor for himself.
I worked with Kev in 2000/01 at Chase Farm Hospital ICU. He's one of the kindest people I have ever met
I second that. I’ve worked with him on scene at nasty jobs.
Awww bet he'd really pleased to know this
I love how Dr.Kevin has 'the doctor posture'
Slightly slouched, head craned forward. I swear all my doctors held themselves like this
Rorelse Hahaha that‘s what I thought too
Must be all the hours he's worked and trained in the UK NHS lol
All the years studying neck haha
Australia leads the way in the medical industry but also the fact that if we do get hurt, we pay nothing for emergency help. Love our country.
our hospitals are great but we do have a lot of clerical set backs when it comes to new innovations in medical science, people often have to travel far away to receive specialised treatment that isn't legally allowed in Australia.
We pay it in taxes.
lol
Really? Wow. That's awesome. Here in the USA its definitely become driven by money. It's clear and apparent. I've now worked in multiple hospitals here.
We have the BEST Health care system. It's called the FANTASTIC NHS. And there are other Countries in the world that DO NOT Pay for our health care. People should know they're facts before commenting that Australia is the only health care system in the World that it's citizens don't pay for they're health care. 😠
Our Ambos are some of the best in the world, been in the back of a van a few times and they take great care of you with fantastic empathy for their patients.
Ambulance: Australia is one of my favorites!!!! They all seem like not only amazing paramedics but also just equally great people as well!!!!! 💕💕💕💕 much love from America ❤️🇺🇸🇦🇺
I had a life threatening MVR 2016. Not only did the teams at the Alfred save my life but they saved my arm from Amputation.
Yes the world's Best trauma centre full stop.
Wish they could treat my dads anuerysm.
Exactly the same with my father in 2012 except it was his foot and lower leg
Doctors and everyone working in the healthcare industry are amazing, they don‘t get anywhere near what they deserve :((
Man seeing camron sitting up and talking made me tear up! Good work trauma team!
Looks like he lost a few pounds too!
I can say Australia has a fantastic medical system compared to alot of countries. And we have free healthcare. Our emergency and medical professionals do a wonderful job and dont get paid enough. Selfless people, that put others in front of there own. Thankyou , proud to bed Australian xx
Jealous American here...
but did you die?
There is also the strong possibility that other patients trashed the waiting room, and left it dirty.
What you describe is not typical. I am 68 years old and on the age pension. In all those years I have never waited more than one hour to be triaged and manybe a couple of hours to be ushured in if its not life treatening. Sometimes it does get crowded but if you can't breathe or your heart looks like giving up there is no delay. Many people try to game the system and turn up at emergency with something that could be treated by your GP. If thats the case then you will have to wait. Obviously the reality varies across different hospitals in the city. Westmead is the biggest hospital in the system serving about 3m people in Sydneys west. It does get busy. If you are in a car accident and need urgent free assistance this is the country to be living in. By and large though it works well.
@über alles rennen the rooms are nasty because the ppl in the room before you trashed it. But those that go in are intoxicated or have mental issues. Even the emergency room around my area in the US gets like that. Housekeeping are only allowed to do certain things. Biological material by someone else. Make a complaint next visit. Our ER n hospital where I am have the highest death rates in waiting room plus lawsuits including one of mine. Now new owner, new laws.
Aussies are so lucky to have such excellent medical care!
I live in Canada (we're not too shabby here either!)Great Documentary!
Actually I've had direct experience with tertiary referrals from Canada and I can say that, based on my own experience, the quality of care available to Canadians with access to major metro. areas is excellent.
I am in Ontario myself :) yeah Canada! :)
16:23 Professor: "We want everything to be perfect" with 'TEAM LEADER' upside down on his chest lol
16:33 "It never is"
Lolololol I just commented that too!!!!! I’m so glad that someone else noticed! 🤣💕💕
My 19 yr old cousin died from a torn aorta the car accident was head on but the speed was 30 mph he got out of the car asked the others if they were ok then he collapsed and died. His chest hit the steering wheel and the only sign of injury from the outside just a small bruise. Cam was so very lucky and I'm glad of that❤
Our first responders (Paramedics, Nurses, Doctors, Firies, SES etc etc) put great effort and lengths to save a people's lives. They don't deserve to be disrespected nor be harmed but sadly more and more aussies are forgetting this now.
Dan Rodriguez Not only aussies. As a technical rescue specialist I can tell you it’s the same in Europe, too bad
You guys have it nice there! in India we docs get spat on and beaten up. During the Covid 19 pandemic no less . With barely any PPE.
Our Children's hospital is also world class. We are very fortunate in Victoria
Spectacular team working in unison to save lives. Amazing to watch this. Great film crew and narration of each segment.
Air 495 one of Melbourne’s best team saved my life 9 years ago ❤️
The world needs more Waynes. Having so many super specialists on hand also helps save lives.
The Alfred is set up for the worst trauma imaginable, or even unimaginable. Lots of goo equipment, heaps of absurdly well trained staff, iron confidence and not a hand quiver anywhere. There has to be more of The Alfred everywhere.
oh thats serious
Thoroughly recommend Dr Fong’s books, especially Extremes. He’s an amazing author
The same ICU that saved my life on ECMO and advanced life support in May 2020...
Forever thankful to all the staff & medical professionals who have given me a second chance at life. The Alfred Hospital is truly Brilliant!!
Really miss documentaries like this one. So hard to find…concise, well documented and sincerely well-executed footage. Hats off
This doctor has an excellent voice and narration skills like a pro. He's got another career if he can't practice medicine.
Kevin Fong is an excellent prehospital Dr. Worked alongside here in the UK when he was a HEMS Dr long after this programme was made. He's an anaesthetist by trade. Lovely chap
This so true
He is and i'm feel for him he is so gentlemen and visitors lots of Truamaunits at hospt
He was in one of South Africa Truama Units if I'm remember to
Agreed
He has many careers. He did work for NASA.
No joke
I’m ambulance service and Dr Fong used to work on the Air Ambulance in my old area here in the UK. Was always a pleasure to work with him.
Most Air Ambulances in the UK do now fly at night.
Adrenalin rush...congrats to the resuscitation team for their tremendous effort.
What an amazing documentary! I watch a lot of medical documentaries and this by far is the most informative, well presented and interesting program with a great balance of the back story and procedure, without being "drawn out and too wordy". Well done 👏
I love medical videos.And the care they get from the medical team.😊
I wish there had been season 2.....That is ICU season 1 at the Alfred ..
Proud to live in Australia. And work in a hospital. We rock.
Technically our Aussie emergency services health care is not free - we all pay for it via taxes, levies and donations. Money very well spent :).
no duh litterally no one needed to explain this
@@lilnabii ??
It's great that in your country, the common man's money paid as taxes are utilised partly for medical aid. In my country, taxes paid by common man goes for rehabilitation program of cows but not for humans. The health services are too much degraded in India. Very few doctors, no ventilators, no space/bed for patient, long never ending waiting que for tests. The list is to lengthy.
You think anybody else doesn't pay, come to the UK our NHS is for the benefit of anybody else in the world bar Brit's...And if you query them their answer is "Well it's free" ...I've been paying weekly through my wages since I started work part time at 15 yrs of age...
@@TheHynzee Still the systems in the UK and Australia are far more economical and effective than in the U.S. where workers like me have paid high premiums of hundreds of dollars per month and still have to pay co-pays and high deductibles of around a thousand or more per year before any insurance benefits are actually paid and then still get bills from doctors and hospitals. Our taxes pay nothing toward health care except for a Medicare tax we have to pay for the elderly which when you finally get that coverage, it still costs $144 per month and doesn't cover but 80% of any costs.
I love the way this man narrates.
My daughter and I ended up in the Alfred after a car accident 15 months ago. The one thing that struck me was the staff... They were simply wonderful.
On the 13th May 2006 Melbourne Doctors and to a very large degree NURSES saved my life after a blast wound injury to my body. The thing that makes these guys amazing is the fact that they dont just save your life but they repair you so well that so many complications and outcomes that are normally encountered with certain injuries/trauma are minimised giving you such a better chance of A./ survival but B./ as normal a life as possible post trauma!. True Angels...such a blessing my accident happened in Victoria ...Best place to be in the world if injured! x
I have tremendous respect for these nurses, doctors and surgeons! Miracle workers 🙏🏻❤️
This documentary gives great insight about working in the ER. Medical school and fire academy are a couple of my options after college, and this really gives me a good perspective about going into emergency medicine.
Amazing. So happy the footage wasn't blurred out. Such a great and real documentary. Thank you.
I bet it's hard for Dr. Fong, as a physician himself, to function as a non-participating observer rather than a participant. It seemed at times he was anxious, like he wanted to jump in and help.
It's a high stress environment where everyone are peak performing and where you do NOT want to stand in their way, so he is a bit anxious about the patients outcome mixed with concern about not being in the way of the team intervention
I figure if the staff REALLY needed his help, they would ask. Which got me thinking- because Dr. Fong wasn't an employee of the hospital would it be illegal or against policy if he did participate...
I guess the job becomes instinctively interwoven with yourself after enough time
I love this station. I learn so much. Thanks for podcasting these types of programs.
@@the.mermaid.scientist he would not be able to participate as he is unlikely to be accredited to practice medicine within Australia, and extremely unlikely to be accredited to practice within the hospital. Each hospital has a duty of care to ensure the staff working their are trained and have the correct credentials before they are allowed to touch a patient.
I was working at The Alfred during the construction of the helipad. During this time, the ward I was working on (orthopaedics and general surgery), had to take the road trauma patients. It was fascinating and frightening but I learned so much during that period. It was great to see the patients, so traumatised to begin with, recover enough to go home or to rehabilitation. Ironically, I am now a patient at The Alfred awaiting elective surgery. Circle of life.
Incredible hospital, enjoyed this documentary
We have fantastic medical care. It’s a blessing to know that while we are out and about enjoying our sun kissed land that if anything untoward should ever happen to us, that there are those strangers in uniform who will risk their lives and do everything within their capabilities to save us.
I thank god I live in Australia, my husband had a quad bypass some years ago, we never spent a cent and had the best surgeon in our state and my most recent operation ankle fusion I had a top surgeon and all follow up on the public system, Im still having ongoing physiotherapy at no cost, I choose not to have private cover as we have a low income but at least I have the choice
Your lucky to have that choice! So many others do not.
👩🎤I'm a jealous American 🇺🇸
As an Australian on a low income I am insured but can opt for the Alfred and pay them the excess
Goes straight to the hospital
I myself was sent by ambulance to the Alfred after a bad car accident. I had 6 operations there. Im so Grateful for them!
You can tell it's an Australian hospital because their biggest issue is car crashes - not gun shots, knife wounds, acid attacks etc. like you see overseas.
@Bernie Sanders we do though
Not overseas, just America.
Are you suggesting that because others have worse issues, that being left paralysed from a car crash is trivial?
Why is there so many car crashes in Australia
Bernie Sanders we are next to Asia, we have a very large Muslim population with mosques and halal butchers everywhere but we have good social services and really strict gun and knife laws. Guns are very hard to get, shootings even of one person create headlines and news coverage even if the person lives, even if shots get fired at a house -that gets on the news. That's what it is like here that's our reality. Our hospitals are free unless you choose to go private, this hospital is public and 100% free whether it's for trauma or general admission. Our hospitals are not clogged up with shootings which must really help our health budget.
the word you are grasping for is PROFESSIONAL. aussies are huge on medical research, proactivity etc. there is no room for slacking or judgementalism or self indulgence that lets down so many people elsewhere. as for victorian hospital design - the new north american and uk pfi crap is even worse while costing more. when the attitude is wrong the death rates are high - the urge to profiteer in medicine means everyone loses. my experience in oz (vs canada, uk, germany, usa, portugal) has me admiring their achievement and wondering why on earth the nhs hasn't poached oz talent (that attitude thing again - ignorance is bliss). the uk has major talent, it just needs competent management
Aussie has always been the place where the kid hits a six in Cricket, and the next kid tries to hit a longer six. A long six is the same value as a short six, but this shows everywhere where there is a real wish to go as far as possible, beat the odds, and find better ways to win. It's not competition *against* eachother, but competition against the ODDs.
The reason the nhs hasn't poached much oz medicine talent is because the work life balance for doctors in emergency medicine is absolute dogshit and has a significantly high burnout rate. Hence why a lot of NHS doctors come to Australia. Prehospital though they have taken quite a few Australian graduate paramedics because they had a shortage of paramedics and Australia had an oversupply of graduate paramedics and are well trained.
I'll take US medical resarch than Aussie thanks lol.
@@Pius-XI Why's that?
@@Pius-XI
That's cute. Australia is undoubtedly the leader in research and to say otherwise would be factually ignorant.
Makes me so proud of the hospitals and help we all have here it’s great, everyone does an amazing job !
also watching this makes me proud as I’m currently studying to become a paramedic ☺️
I am so absolutely impressed with this post. Great respect to all😲😲🇬🇷
Unsung and way underappreciated. I love you all and am very, VERY glad to be an aussie!!!!! 👍👍👍👍👍💙💙💙💙💙
Agreed
I'm not Australian but really admire your health system and the total devotion of all who work in it - you should be very glad indeed Jay bomb
@@alisonmason7990 A couple of weeks ago, I had a heart attack. If not for the ambulance crew and the emergency department team, I'd be dead. So, I really do love and appreciate them.
@ jay bomb .... agree, we’re “ simply the best “. 🎼🎶🎵🎶🎶 👍
Trauma surgeon Kate is amazing. Straight in there no messing about 👏🏼👏🏼
Great job on everything fellas!! Great content as well!! Thankyou to your team! Audio, video..
Impressive🤓🌻✌
Saved my parents after a head on collision
The head of trauma surgery told me my mum survived the unsurvivable in younger people
Mum was 73 at the time
Fantastic staff
Shame the patients rooms are old and tired though
Icu was fantastic very modern
Great staff
Because the Aussies and the kiwis are the best.
Angelbabe - Not even close, mate.
@@sunbunni39
What is then?
According to Aussies and kiwi's.
What is a kiwi?
@@shannonweir4312 Person from New Zealand, after our native kiwi bird.
The hardest job in the world, hats off massive respect!
One of the best medical documentary I have ever watched
This hospital is amazing. I was shocked when they saved an ex’s life after a high speed motorcycle accident
For goodness sake I will never understand why woul a politician earn more money then a doctor who basically saves lives.
These doctors are the real heros in our society.... Hat off to them
This hospital kicks butt lol. Way better than here in the United States
Oh no
@@Pius-XI Oh yes. The U.S. has 53 of the 100 best hospitals in the world. With 9 of the top 10 and 17 of the top 20. 🇺🇸
@@patrickmorrissey3084 That's great
@@Pius-XI It is.
@@patrickmorrissey3084 K
A family member went to Australia, and they said that a lot of people don’t wear seatbelts, is that true? Because that would certainly increase car crash fatalities.
I really loved how it all came together and he showed how the hospital was built to make the trauma unit a UNIT, with everything you need within easy reach. That’s incredibly smart. Maybe they should knock a few walls down in London! :P
I mean sure some people probs dont wear seat belts but every country have those people. Like it isnt culturally encouraged. I will say though people's attitudes to car saftey can be pretty lax, especially our red p platers- normally the young males.
I have lived in US for twenty years but spent the first 26 years in Australia. The laws there are relatively strict compared to US. Most people I knew always wore their seat belts, but all countries are the same, there are people who do and people who dont, but the penalty makes them do it more I would say
I PRAISE LIFE FLIGHT SERVICES AND THEIR QUICK RESPONSE TO
EMERGENCY THAT ARE FASTER TO GET TO. THANK YOU SO MUCH LIFE FLIGHT SERVICES.
I had an amazing Aussie surgeon cure me working in the NHS. OK he was the one on the rota that day. marvellous job.
I have had loads of experiences of Australian and New Zealand hospitals, having lots of chronic illnesses myself, and a daughter who was born with 6 life-threatening heart conditions? Australian hospitals are a bit better. The problem with most Ex's is people taking themselves and their children to ED when a GP could easily deal with their problems. The hospital has to see them.
Exactly people panic. Gp or urgent care then hospital
A contributing factor is because our Paramedics are so highly trained in Victoria it takes years to become one not a few weeks
It takes a couple of years to become a paramedic in most developed countries. EMT'S takes weeks or months.
@red Yellow your right, I’m an Irish Paramedic and while it’s true most places have adopted the BSc route to become paramedics, the mica paramedic is what all paramedics hope will become a thing over here.
Victoria and MICA are world leaders
Patrick Morrissey we don’t use EMTs in Australia. Only paramedics.
@@mandyclarke8013 I believe WA use "Ambulance Aussistants/Nurses" who are only first aid trained.
Plus here in Vic we also have St John's ambulance at events etc
I will never forget when, during an internship, we managed to get a kid (about 9 years old) somewhat stable to the hospital after a high velocity car crash, and the CT scan showed that his skull was disconnected from his spine (despite spine immobilisation and that stuff on scene). He was braindead, body somehow still functioning despite being.. Well, quite literally dead. It broke my heart
So sad 🥺
❤
Salford Royal Hospital is the best but big respect love Australians
I've watched a few documentaries about emergency rooms and one of the main differences I notice is how calm everyone is at The Alfred compared to one particular other country which I won't name. The medical staff there always seem more on the frantic side while assessing and treating patients - raised voices, rushing etc. Like they haven't got their teamwork down pat. They look like they're filming a drama and have been asked to hype it up, but they're not quite sure what part they're playing...
Absolutely correct in that observation ... and I think we all know which country you're referring to. The Aussie and Brit emergency rooms are quiet, calm and controlled with everyone knowing exactly what their job is.
You can name the country, is the US lol. I agree with u!
I am not sure that’s completely fair. I suspect US hospitals are more rigidly run and hierarchical therefore they would readily be told what to do and say by the documentary teams which would have much freer access and control there than in other countries. Simply put they would be paying for access to film and the staff told to do whatever they were told. The filmmakers would be hyping the drama at every opportunity.
I live in United States and I heard that The Alfred is a world class hospital. I’m actually in the hospital myself right now battling a couple of big conditions including Covid. Covid is nasty.
I love the diagram of the organs over his own body. Very helpful to non medical folks.
Greetings from Germany!
he's got his brain showing but otherwise he seems ok… Oh thats fine then..
Jacques Bichler it‘s typical emergency medicine thinking.. it‘s like „oh, only one thing is killing him right now, we can work with that“ 😉🤷🏼♂️
Dont insult something you are ignorant about.
@ 16:23 “you want everything to be perfect... but it never is” meanwhile his team leader name tag is upside down 😂
Im lucky to live in Melbourne!
katfishd Same
I lived there aswell
We really are lucky
It looks like tough times because of global warming though.
I AM pity..I live in Poland. .
The Americans need to take care of their citizens. Shameful that people are turned away from hospitals or they are bankrupted by the cost. Canada has the same universal health care. We pay through taxes and we are never turned away or bankrupted. No down side.
All emergency cases are treated by law regardless of financial status.
He’s got a very relaxing voice, I love it!
I think his voice is frantic and fast and racing against time. You must be dreaming!
16:34 - I actually take comfort in the fact that this trauma surgeon is more concerned about the patient care and its accuracy and consistency than he is whether his identification as the team leader is upside down or not lolololol 🤣💕💕💕💕
This video was very interesting.keep them coming.very well narrerated.
Random question Kevin, but do you ever find it hard to just stand there and watch when you know you you can help?
He is on a learning expedition if one has to put it that way and if you listen clearly in the opening remarks he is travelling around the world to major trauma hospitals to observe and learn on how the handle major traumas.Plus you cant just enter another country hospital and decide to just help out,there are channels to go through.
@@RJerome0202 its a hypothetical question for to a doctor.
I don't think so, the patients are in very good hands. I have no doubt that if he were asked to help he would have done it anyway.
They don't need his help, plus he's not trained in this environment he's just a bystander
Dr Kevin is wrong to say that the UK Air Ambulances don't fly at night, If he is right then how come the Devon Air Ambulance (England) Picked me up at 1.30am after I suffered a level 4 Brain Hemorage?
I wish you had included CC - "Closed Captions" !!!!!!!!!!
I trained at Alfred in Radiology ! Trauma is not the only thing the hospital does well of course.
I live in the Philippines, the 1st time i went to a public hospital for An Ear infection i saw what was like scene from a horror movie, blood on the floor , Patients so close to each other (some sharing beds), and a women giving birth at the end of a hallway. People didn’t react much so it must been a norm, i definitely didn’t stay but now seeing this documentary i feel it’s important to compare different health systems to know what we lack and to improve on it. But it starts with increasing the standard and not allowing such things to be normal. If i knew there was a higher standard I would react then .
Wow it is an amazing trauma unit
Cameron is one lucky man. Never mind the amazing trauma team.
I adore that his team leader badge was upside down
My brother in law had a heart transplant at 38. Over 3 million on cost and didn’t pay a penny. Saved his life and that of my sister and 3 young babies.
Brilliant documentary 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼
Amazing absolutely on point. I hope one day I work there.
Excellent documentary! I learned a lot!!
The Alfred Trauma Centre is the best place to be. Better than RMH and others. I've had various surgeries at Alfred and their treatment is top notch.
The car accident is just up the road from my house and I briefly worked on the 5th floor in the building next to The Alfred helipad. Always heard the helicopters come in. Would quietly say a prayer for the patient.
"We want everything to be perfect" He says with 'team leader' patch upside down. Hahahhahaa I live
Lol I thought the same thing... but priorities 👍😉
Thank you Wayne
Anybody else find Dr. Fong fine af?
Es realmente un trabajo desgastante,pero tiene satisfacciones que vale la pena pelear diariamente por ello; ¡todos formamos un equipo excelente!
Wish the UK NHS would watch this, they could learn a lot.
Congrats for Australias emergency system! ❤
However something big must be done about road safety
Amblance Victoria and the Alfred hospital thank you.
The Alfred emergency and ICU are brilliant but the other wards are old and understaffed, so it needs updating.
They are updating, takes time as funding is available.
As a New Zealander I can say the healthcare system is pretty good.
For example shortly before Christmas Day 2015 I put my hand through my bathroom window after an argument with my parents and it only costed my parents NZ $100 for the consultation local anesthesia,stitches and dressings the government paid the rest from tax revenue.
Where as in America it would have costed $3000 or more.
With respect, Allah has nothing to do with it. It has to do with a medical system where resources are not rationed as a business, its a system where resources and expertise are provided on the basis of need. There is no fixed budget in this universal system. Its funded about 50/50 between the Federal and States budgets. There is a private insurance system but thats really for elective treatment, dentistry and some rehab. But if you go in for an operation via the private system, its the same surgeons you see here doing the care.
The other thing that underpins it is that there is a maximum of $30 for any medicine, regardless of cost. For people over the age of 65, and if they are on a pension, that drops to $7. The drug companies agree on the price paid with the government who then foots the bill.
In the case of Cameron (the aorta), from the moment the ambulance arrived at the car crash, right through to rehab and recovery, thats all free. Its based on bits of the NHS system in the UK where they have an exchange program, but tweaked where necessary. The New Zealand system is basically the same, but they extend it to tourists too. Here tourists use their travel insurance but if they don't have any, the ttreatment does not stop. They pay what the can afford. There is no chasing the money.
I have lived in many countries, Japan and the USA. The Japanese system is the same as ours. In the USA, if you showed this comment to them they would call you socialists.
Many elective surgeries are covered under Medicare too. Although, this is where there will be a queue, and this is based on how waiting would impact your life. I live in Australia and I am very grateful for our medical system and Medicare. Mum and Dad died of cancer, my sister has had treatment for cancer, my sister-in-law died of cancer, and I had a lumpectomy for a breast cancer, not so long ago, but I was lucky and needed no further treatment (my sister was diagnosed, so I went in 6mths early to my FREE scan. I shudder to think what all of the medical bills and the pharmaceuticals that our family has had over the last 10-years or so adds up to. We also have the Silver Chain, which has a dedicated staff of doctors, nurses, people to help the sick bathe and cleaners who all provide coordinated care in people's homes. A family member or friend can also receive a carer's payment for helping to care for sick person in their homes and any equipment you need is loaned, free of charge.
Excellent informative comment, answered all the questions I was thinking about - I'm most grateful
+ Stephen in OZ I don't think Surgeons that operate for the private system will be found down in A&E. Thanks for my urologist taking Medicare as I'm on a old age pension & don't private insurance I have to wait until he can see me for operation if needed, & that can be months at a time. We do have a great system here in Australia, over the past 10 years with several stays in Hospital, operations, after care visits, X-rays & scans & home nurse once a month or more if needed, This would have to run into hundreds of thousands of dollars, all I have to pay for is my medicine.
Wish our Medical was better. Especially for the elderly. Our Medicare in the USA is awful. Covers 80 percent after $6,000 in bills throughout the year. Prescriptions are covered under certain insurance providers and depends on what medication you are on. An inhaler for my mom is no longer covered, which was previously up until 2 months ago, is now $300/month. Each month and year everything changes. Time to move to Australia. Lol. Seriously, my dad's rehabilitation bill is $200 a day after 20 days. 100 percent coverage the 1st-20th day.
Except for the San and St Vincents most private hospitals do not have emergency departments. At Royal North Shore you will get the same surgeon as in the public section. When its busy or a bad case comes in they get on the pager if they need more doctor resources. They get bonuses and less of a wait for their own private patients if they make themselves available. For the patient, thats invisible. St Vincents Private has a spill over from the Public. They pay the private of they need more beds. At RNS, the public part is now brand new and they have floore of spare capacity. They also contain the operating theatres and CTs etc that are made available to the Private patients.
I have given birth to three kidney stones over the years at RNS. One of them was done as a private patient. It was the same urologist each time. As for trauma, the private hospitals don't do that at all. So when you next come in via an ambulance you just say you are a public patient. Then it all happens. For me I have a Commonwealth Healthcare Card so its all free anyway. That card also gets me free dental through NSW Health, though there can be a bit of a wait. If you have broken a tooth and are in agony they give you a voucher and send you to a private dentist immediately. Back in March I was bashed in the mouth buy a burglar. I lost four front teeth. They fitted me up with a temporary plate and in four months I am getting six implants.
Awesome documentary!