Associate Professor Alison Blatt
BMed(Hons) MS FRACS FUSANZ
About
Associate Professor Alison Blatt is a Urological Surgeon caring for and operating on patients with urological diseases including cancers and kidney stones as well as subspecialty procedures for bladder incontinence and dysfunction.
She is passionate about patients feeling well informed and empowered to practice shared decision making.
Dr Blatt knows that surgery is not always the answer. Understanding her patients' values, preferences and circumstances allows for careful planning to ensure that quality of life is always paramount.
Qualifications & Awards
-
Bachelor of Medicine with Honours (BMedHons) at Newcastle University 1997
-
Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) 2006
-
Fellow of the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand (FUSANZ) 2006
-
Master of Surgery (MS) from Sydney University: Thesis on the Ultrastructure of the Detrusor Muscle (Bladder) 2010
-
Clinical Preceptorship with Dr Samantha Pillay OAM, Adelaide
-
Clinical fellowship at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge working with Professors John Kelly and David Neal on robotic uro-oncology for prostate and bladder cancer 2008
-
John Lowenthal Society Medal 2009
-
RACS Foundation Research Scholarship 2007
-
Keith Kirkland Prize and Storz Travelling Fellowship 2005: USANZ Best Research Presentation by a Urology Clinical Trainee in Australia and New Zealand
-
Christopher Farrell Award 2003: USANZ NSW State Section Best Registrar Research Presentation
Roles and Achievements
-
Inaugural Director of Research for the Department of Urology at John Hunter Hospital. The research team oversee a range of urology projects including cancer trials and quality of care studies.
-
Board Member of The Alport Foundation of Australia which is a locally run charity raising awareness and providing patient support and financial support for research into kidney disease. Professor Blatt also serves on the Medical Advisory Committee for assessing research projects for funding.
-
Urology Lead for the Multidisciplinary Uro-Spinal clinic: With the Rehabilitation Medical Team, Professor Blatt created this clinic for public outpatients with spinal cord injuries and complex urological needs.
-
In her role of Associate Professor at Newcastle University Professor Blatt is involved in teaching and examining undergraduate medical students and assessing research theses candidates.
-
Professor Blatt introduced urethral bulking and sacral nerve stimulation to Belmont and John Hunter Hospitals.
Other Memberships
-
Affiliate of the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI)
-
Board member and Medical advisory committee member of Alport Foundation of Australia
-
Specialist registration with the Medical Board of Australia
-
Member of Australian Medical Association
-
Member of the Functional Urology and Reconstructive Urology Special Advisory Group, FUSANZ
-
Specialist member of the Hunter Postgraduate Medical Institute
-
Member of the Continence Foundation of Australia
-
Member of The European Association of Urology
-
Member of The International Continence Society
-
Member of the SIU Société Internationale d'Urologie
Some of Dr Blatt's Current Research Projects...
-
Bladder cancer diagnosis - The Role of MRI in staging superficial disease. You can read about Dr Blatt's interview with the Newcastle Morning Herald here or listen to her interview on ABC radio. University of Newcastle Newsroom on MRIB Study
-
Principal Site Investigator for John Hunter Hospital ANZUP trial BCG with or without Mitomycin Bladder cancer therapy
-
Patient Communication - Assessing patient understanding of their condition at the time of discharge from hospital.
-
Preparation for Major surgery and reducing operative risks - Prehabilitation program to enhance patient's readiness for major urological surgery
-
Incontinence - Professor Blatt is the Site principal investigator for the
Australasian Pelvic Floor Procedure Registry (APFPR) a national registry for female incontinence procedures to improve patient outcomes at Belmont Hospital and Lingard Private Hospital.