Pioneering Bacteriophage Therapy in WA

Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital patient Keith recently became the first patient in Western Australia to receive phage therapy in his home, reflecting a growing focus to provide high quality care in the home setting.

Keith originally received his first round of two-week intravenous course of phage therapy in hospital back in 2024 to treat an aortic graft, which resulted in him being infection free for eight months.

Phage Therapy uses bacteriophages (phages) that are viruses found naturally in the environment, that specifically target and kill multi-resistant bacteria.

SCGH Infectious Diseases Physician Dr Penny Clohessy said Keith has now had his second round of phage therapy, which he received as an outpatient.

“Keith was able to receive his intravenous infusions in both the SCGH Home Link clinic, as well as in his own home,” she said.

“Our Infectious Disease and Home Link teams were able to successfully deliver this treatment to Keith, making this method of delivery a state first."

This new and cutting-edge method of delivery for phage therapy has unlocked a range of possibilities for the future.

Home Link is a nursing service based at SCGH which provides acute care at home or in a dedicated clinic.

You can read more about our Infectious Diseases Department here.