stocking up the pantry for vulnerable patients For some people, tough times became even tougher during the COVID-19
pandemic, which is why the Royal North Shore Hospital Food Pantry is now more important than ever. The pantry, which is run by dietitian Vivian Au in conjunction with the volunteers at The Corner Shop, has been providing healthy food to patients in need since September. Vivian said it all came about when she was working with a colleague in the Liver Clinic. “We saw this need for a lot of our patients who were really unwell,” she said. “A lot of them were malnourished but they couldn’t follow through with the nutritional plan for whatever the reason; whether that is financially or a lack of access to nutritional foods. “It had an effect on what we were doing for them because we weren’t caring for the whole person, so we thought ‘why not try this out for a little bit?’” Vivian reached out to the
Corner Shop, who donated some seed money to start stocking the pantry, while also becoming its home. Soon enough, the pantry was operational with several patients per week accessing it through vouchers from staff across the whole hospital. “It’s still pretty grassroots but we’ve involved the nutrition department and some wards are pretty proactive with it,” Vivian said. “We’re creating an environment where people don’t need to fill in a questionnaire or provide personal details – they can access the pantry with the ticket provided to them by
staff that has no details other than the department name.” With The Corner Shop recently opening and patients returning to the hospital, Vivian said now was a crucial time to make sure the pantry could provide those in need with the right foods to support their wellbeing. “When we started we didn’t have a lot, so we relied on staff donations with the hope of working with other organisations, but of course we really appreciate our staff and their generosity,” she said. If you would like to get involved, please contact Vivian.Au@health.nsw.gov.au.
New investment in approach to osteoarthritis treatment Key research into the treatment of
Professor Hunter will lead a team of more than 20 researchers to conduct a series of studies to improve osteoarthritis treatment programs. “Our program of research will enhance the methods for disease modification trials and initiate novel trials to optimise the delivery of care for those with the disease,” he said. “These research initiatives, which can be directly incorporated into clinical practice, will make inroads into this prevalent and disabling disorder, and I anticipate will have an international impact. “The grant is a credit to my wonderful team, the marvellous colleagues I collaborate with and I remain humbled by the opportunity to make a difference for those living with osteoarthritis.”
osteoarthritis is set to be strengthened, with the Kolling Institute’s Professor David Hunter receiving a large National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) investigator grant. The highly competitive grant was awarded to the Florance and Cope Chair of Rheumatology for a five-year project to transform treatment options and delivery of care for osteoarthritis. Professor Hunter welcomed the grant, saying osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability in Australia and across the world. “Despite the burden of the disease on the community, the current management of the condition is frequently inappropriate and costly. This is despite safe and effective options being available,” he said.
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