Spleen Australia
Without a functioning spleen, you are at an increased risk of developing life-threatening infections from certain types of bacteria. Spleen Australia aims to give you the information and strategies for reducing the occurrence and severity of these infections.
We provide telephone education and materials to you, your doctors and, where appropriate, your family. Your education kit contains information on how to reduce the risk of infections, a medical alert card and a vaccine record card.
We also create an individualised vaccine and antibiotic plan based on current medical recommendations. It is then up to you with your medical practitioner to review the medical recommendations frequently to ensure you remain up to date. Changes to the medical recommendations will be updated on our website.
We are currently funded to register people who live in Victoria, Tasmania, Queensland and Western Australia.
Meet the team
VICTORIA
Associate Professor Denis Spelman – Medical Director, Infectious Diseases Physician
Ms Penelope Jones RN – Manager
Ms Sharon Willems RN – Clinical Nurse Coordinator
Ms Sharon O’Brien RN – Clinical Nurse Coordinator
Ms Ella Brown RN – Clinical Nurse Coordinator
Ms Megan Harvey RN – Clinical Nurse Coodinator
Ms Amber Plumley – Senior Administration Officer
Associate Professor Ian Woolley – Infectious Diseases Physician
Professor Allen Cheng – Infectious Diseases Physician & Epidemiologist
Associate Professor Andrew Stewardson – Infectious Diseases Physician
PHARMACIST
Louise Grannell – Medicines Information Pharmacist
TASMANIA
Professor Katie Flanagan – Infectious Diseases Physician, Immunologist
QUEENSLAND
Associate Professor Stephen Lambert – Public Health Physician & Epidemiologist
Ms Kate Lynch – Clinical Nurse Consultant
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Dr Christopher Blyth – Paediatrician, Infectious Diseases Physician & Clinical Microbiologist
Associate Professor Asha Bowen – Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Perth Children’s Hospital and Program Head, End Rheumatic Heart Disease (END RHD) and Team Lead, Healthy Skin and ARF Prevention at Telethon Kids Institute
SUPPORT
Professor Karin Leder – Infectious Diseases Physician & Epidemiologist
Funding bodies
- Department of Health and Human Services, Victoria
- Department of Health and Human Services, Tasmania
- Department of Health, Western Australia
- Queensland Health
- Alfred Health
Acknowledgements
Syd and Ann Wellard Perpetual Trust
Marian & E H Flack Trust
Patron
Daryl Braithwaite
We acknowledge the people of the Kulin Nation, the traditional custodians and pay our respects to their culture and their Elders past, present and emerging. We welcome all cultures, nationalities and religions. Being inclusive and providing equitable healthcare is our commitment.
