Ronald Sawers Haemophilia Centre

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Ronald Sawers Haemophilia Centre (RSHC)

The aim of the RSHC is to provide comprehensive care for patients with haemophilia and other hereditary bleeding disorders. The RSHC is one of the core services of Alfred Health's Department of Haematology, and also undertakes research as part of the Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University.

Clinical focus & Service Provision

Diagnostic testing and treatment for patients with hereditary bleeding disorders began in 1954, and was incorporated into duties and service delivery from the laboratory haematology department. Services were redeveloped following the retirement of Dr Sawers and recognition of HIV infection in plasma recipients in 1984. It was subsequently recognised by the Department of Health as adult state centre for management of patients with hereditary bleeding disorders offering a multidisciplinary model of care that encompasses the diagnosis, treatment and long-term follow up. Currently, we are the only international haemophilia training centre in Australia.

The RSHC was nominated the Twinning Centre of the year in 2013 by the World Federation of Haemophilia for educational work with the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Hanoi, Vietnam. Today approximately 900 patients are registered with the centre and the number continues to rise.

Our comprehensive service includes Haemophilia and other hereditary bleeding disorders allowing the effective delivery of both inpatient and outpatient care.

We provide a consultative service to other specialties within The Alfred hospital. Patients are also referred to us for treatment from numerous centres within Melbourne and regional Victoria.

The Team

[Photo to be included]

Research Projects and Opportunities

• Factor VIII product “switch” and inhibitor development in patients with haemophilia A in Australia
• Comparison of Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound to Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the detection of synovitis in patients with haemophilic arthropathy
• Pedigrees, factor VIII genotype and patient progress in response to therapy (PROGENY)
• Prevalence of Transfusion Acquired Hepatitis C in an Australian Bleeding Disorders Population
• Tranexamic acid without prophylactic factor replacement for prevention of bleeding in patients with hereditary bleeding disorder undergoing endoscopy

Recent publications

Kitson M, Roberts S, Kemp W, Iser D, Street A, Tran HAM. The prevalence of significant liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in haemophilia patients infected with hepatitis C using Fibroscan. Haemophilia. 2011 17(2):316-7.

Brown S, Barnes C, Curtin J, Dunkley S, McRae S, Ockelford P, Phillips J, Rowell J, Smith M, Tran H. How we use Recombinant Activated Factor VII in Patients with Haemophilia A or B complicated by Inhibitors. Internal Medical Journal. 2012;42:1243-50.

Davis A, Walsh M, McCarthy P, Brown G, Roberts S, Tran H, Street A, Fong CY, Kemp W. Tranexamic acid without prophylactic factor replacement for prevention of bleeding in hereditary bleeding disorder patients undergoing endoscopy: a pilot study. Haemophilia. 2013 Apr 8. doi: 10.1111/hae.12146. [Epub ahead of print]

Northcott M, Ong W, Walsh M, McCarthy P, Belleli D, Tran H, Street A, Kemp W, Davis A. Prevalence of Transfusion Acquired Hepatitis C in an Australian Bleeding Disorders Population. Haemophilia, In Press.