‘The spike is really getting us worried’: Alfred emergency services dep director Rohan Laging

The number of trauma patients being treated at Melbourne’s Alfred hospital spiked by more than 10 per cent this year, with fears of another surge over the holiday period.

The number of critically injured patients has spiked by more than 10 per cent at one of the state’s top hospitals this year, with staff bracing for another influx in the coming weeks.

The Alfred Hospital treated more than 4,430 trauma patients from January to November this year, compared to 3,914 for the same period in 2022.

The 13 per cent spike represents an extra 518 people critically injured so far in 2023, some of who need more than a dozen staff to help care for them at certain points and have “life-changing” injuries.

Monthly road accident admissions reached their highest level in more than two years in November, but experts say multiple factors drove this year’s rising demand, which peaked in May with 431 admissions.

Members of the Alfred’s emergency department trauma team. Picture: David Caird

Concerns of another spike prompted the hospital’s emergency services deputy director Rohan Laging to urge Victorians to stay safe during the notoriously accident prone festive season, warning “physics doesn’t take a holiday”.

Dr Laging said they hope the early increase — seen in everything from road trauma to falls — was not a sign of more to come.

“The severity that we’re seeing and the spike is really getting us worried,” he said.

“Each one of those [numbers] is attached with a human, a story and loved ones around them that are also affected.”

As one of the state’s two adult trauma hospitals, the spike is not confined to one region and likely represents a jump in injuries across Victoria.

Dr Laging’s concern for the silly season is backed by the data, which shows December was last year’s busiest month with trauma admissions more than 20 per cent above 2022’s monthly average.

He said they see a rise in all types of accidents during the festive season and warm long weekends, from people over-celebrating with drugs and alcohol to those burned by a faulty barbecue or a fire they got too close to while drunk.

“We do see motor-vehicle related trauma go up over the holiday because people are moving around and going on long trips,” he said.

“If we have a very miserable rainy day in the middle of summer, we do see presentations clump to avoid the weather on either side.

Alfred critical care nurse Lizzie Peters. Picture: David Caird

“We’re more likely to see barbecue or fire related or recreational vehicle accidents on days with nice weather when people are out and about.”

He said while the hospital was “prepared for anything”, they can only predict so much and would love Victorians to slow down and put safety first.

“It’s very easy to get lost in all the rush and great times,” he said.

“Avoid taking risks and plan ahead so I don’t see you this Christmas.”

He said the clash between victims’ long-awaited holiday plans with loved ones and their new “cold hard reality” could be extra difficult for both patients and the staff helping them.

“Every now and then, you’ll care for a patient that reminds you of someone you know and love, and you carry that home when you finish your shift,” he said.