NSLHD News September 25

CREATING Welcoming ENVIRONMENTS ACROSS NSLHD When patients, staff and

consumers enter a Northern Sydney Local Health District hospital or service, there’s a mission to make each and every person feel welcome. NSLHD Clinical Lead for Aboriginal Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Michelle Lawrence is behind this mission. Michelle recently developed two welcome banners with inclusivity top of mind – an Acknowledgement of Country banner and a multicultural banner with ‘hello’ written in 40 languages. “The banners are beautifully designed and include ‘hello’ in AUSLAN for our hearing impaired community,” Michelle said. “I want these banners to make everyone feel welcome and acknowledged. Culture is everywhere and if the banners help one person on their

Vocational and Housing Manager Marianna Wong and Michelle Lawrence

journey into a health setting to feel more welcome than we have been successful in what we set out to achieve.” The banners are located across Macquarie Hospital and Ryde and Royal North Shore community health centres.

The banners link to the National Quality Health Standards and the self- assessment tool of building cultural environments. They are available through Design and Print.

New medication may offer relief for knee osteoarthritis A study has been launched to investigate the benefits of a new injectable medication for those with knee osteoarthritis.

The condition can have a profound impact on a person’s life, leading to physical limitations, ongoing pain and joint instability. There are broader implications too which can make it difficult for those with the condition to engage in social, community and occupational activities. Significant resources and expertise are being directed towards the disease, and a number of clinical trials and research studies are underway to develop new interventions and tests that may alleviate the symptoms of the condition. One of these promising trials is being led by Professor David Hunter and his team from the Kolling Institute and Royal North Shore Hospital.

The Excellence Study will evaluate a new injectable medication that has been formulated to provide both short-term and long-acting relief from pain, inflammation and mobility impairments. Many current medications for knee osteoarthritis offer only short-term relief, while this

new medication may offer relief for up to six months. Volunteers are being recruited for the study and further community support is needed. To find out more about joining the trial, call 9463 1774 or go to: https://redcap.sydney.edu. au/surveys/?s=4T7XWDW33T

6 NSLHDNEWS | ISSUE 18| 25 SEPTEMBER 2020

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