APFF Transform Treatment Options for Major Skin Graph Surgery

The Friends of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Inc. are once again pleased to facilitate another generous donation from the Australian Professional Firefighters Foundation (APFF).

One of the main focuses of the APFF is to provide assistance to the Newland Ward which treats burns and road crash casualties. APFF members are often first responders to these incidents. This donation aligns with the APFF members’ core values.

This year, thanks to the generosity of its members and support provided by the community their donation of $75,000 has supported the purchase of a Vascular Laser. The laser will be used to compliment the CO2 Laser donated by the APFF in 2016 at a cost of $105,000.

Pictured: The Vascular Laser which will be used to compliment the CO2 Laser donated by the APFF in 2016.

Pictured L-R: WCHN Staff; Andrew Wade, Ha Tran, Di Smith-McCue, Friends President Pauline Linke; APFF Members Erin Burton APFF Administrator, APFF President Dylan Faber, WCHN Staff; Linda Quinn, Dr Bernard Carney.

Pictured L-R: WCHN Staff; Linda Quinn, Dr Amy Jeeves; Friends President Pauline Linke; APFF members; Dr Bernard Carney WCHN.

Bernard Carney, Medical Head of Burns at the WCH explains “The new laser avoids very painful complex reconstructive surgery in many cases. We have found that since its introduction there has been a significant decrease with major skin graphs and flap reconstruction surgery. Every outcome measure that has been looked at has found it to be very beneficial to patients and complements the existing laser donated in 2016.

This treatment now seems to be the trend amongst burns surgeons, using lasers, with multiple capacities to modify and breakdown the appearance of the scar. We are excited to continue using the laser. It is a very useful piece of equipment for a whole range of problems we experience at the hospital”.

The new laser was gratefully received by dermatology colleagues and Bernard thanked the APFF for their generous donation.

For more information about the Foundation visit https://apff.org.au/ or to make a donation to the Friends of the WCH please visit https://wchfriends.com.au/ 

Thank you to all that have made this very generous donation possible.