VCAL P.A.R.T.Y. Program

VCAL Classes at the "P.A.R.T.Y" Program

Over the last 10 years, the Alfred Hospital has presented their PARTY (Prevent Alcohol and Risk-related Trauma in Youth) program to over 5000 students across Victoria.  Each year over 300 schools vie for the opportunity to participate and this year our school was one of the lucky 15 schools chosen to attend.

The Alfred Hospital is one of Australia’s busiest emergency and trauma centres attending to more than 5000 trauma patients yearly.  Trauma is the leading cause of preventable death, injury and disability in 15-25 year olds. The most common causes of trauma are  road accidents, assaults, falls and distractions.  Drugs and alcohol are also major contributors of  trauma injuries. 

With this in mind, the Party Program aims to target secondary school students and provide insight into the consequences of traumatic injury.

Emergency Department Nurse Sue and her team of medical staff and efficient volunteers run a fantastic program at the Alfred Hospital.  Students hear,  see and get to experience first-hand what happens to a trauma patient.   As part of the excursion, students toured the Emergency Department, the Intensive Care Unit, Rehabilitation Centres and finally the wards.

During a tour of the wards we met Elizabeth* (a 17- year- old patient).  Elizabeth was waiting at a bus stop when an out of control driver, in a stolen car mowed her down, changing her life forever.  Elizabeth was left with critical injuries and multiple broken bones. In her own words, she told the students that she has had numerous operations and there are many more to come.

Our students learned that surviving trauma could lead to terrible outcomes.  At times the experience was very raw for both staff and students, but that was the aim of the program. Students were left in no doubt that risk-taking behaviour can lead to death and disability. They were reminded that there are consequences to decisions made that may not just involve ourselves, but others too. Sometimes wrong choices can change the lives of innocent people forever.  Innocent people who were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

As Nurse Stephanie led us into the “Bad News Room” in the Emergency Department, there was total silence.  This is best described as a sterile room, white walls, with grey carpet and furniture.  A room you hope you never have to be in….... for in this room they delicately deliver the news that your son, daughter, sister, brother has a brain injury that is irreversible and will need lifetime care, or you learn that your loved one has passed away.  Either way the outcome is similar.  This is the room you never want to encounter Nurse Stephanie.  This room made it all too clear that we are not invincible.

*Name has been changed

Ms Vicki Handris

VCAL Coordinator