Other team members

Advanced Nurse Practitioners

• Nico Antonucci
• Helen Bunting
• Binaya Dhungana
• Emily Dwyer
• Sarah Manderson
• David Raimondo Semedo
  

Pharmacist

• Mary Collins (Lead)
• David Lang

Day Unit

• Comfort Adedoyin Dawodu, RDU Lead
• Leila Araiza, Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Jacqueline Elliot, Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Ann Barcelona, Senior Staff Nurse - Pre-admissions Clinic

Physiotherapist

Physiotherapists can offer education and advice, and give you information about your condition, teaching you what symptoms to expect and how to manage them.

This can include how to recognise and manage a flare, when to rest and when to exercise, and advice on how to modify activities in order to protect the joints.

You may see a Physiotherapist periodically until you feel confident enough to 'self-manage', using the techniques you have been taught. This could include appropriate stretching and strengthening exercises, fatigue management, hydrotherapy and pain management strategies.

You will be referred to the Rheumatology Physiotherapist based on arising needs and difficulties identified during your clinic appointments.

For more information please see Physiotherapy

Occupational Therapist

Jacqueline Sherwood

Occupational Therapists can help with living a more independent and productive lifestyle.

Various interventions may be used to achieve this, including the following.

• Assessment of function (personal and domestic tasks)
• Work advice and support
• Hand assessment / hand exercises
• Splinting - off-the-shelf activity splints to support joints
• Relaxation techniques
• Fatigue management and energy conservation
• Education of condition
• Provision of equipment
• Referrals to other agencies (ie: Adult Health and Social Care)
• Education regarding resources / facilities available to assist in achieving / maintaining your independence

To be assessed by the Rheumatology Occupational Therapist, a member of the Rheumatology Team will need to refer you.

For more information please see Occupational Therapy at the NOC