Department of Rheumatology
The Department of Rheumatology is a district-wide service with inpatient care that provides both in-patient and out-patient facilities and research laboratories for the treatment and study of rheumatic conditions.
About us
Rheumatology focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal (muscle, bone, and ligament) problems. Rheumatologic conditions affect the bone, joints, muscle, and connective tissues.
Rheumatology supports the Osteoarthritis Chronic Care Program (OACCP) Model of Care. OACCP promotes patient self-management, functional independence, and has a significant role in the prevention of joint replacement and optimisation of patients for joint replacement surgery, when required.
The main goals of the Department are:
- Provision of professional and compassionate specialist Rheumatology services to people with musculoskeletal conditions.
- Provision of evidence-based and current treatments.
- Teaching of Rheumatology clinical skills and performance of world-class research in Rheumatology.
Our services
The Westmead Department of Rheumatology services include management of:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Gout and other crystal arthropathies
- Osteoporosis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (Lupus)
- Systemic sclerosis (Scleroderma)
- Back pain
Our clinics include:
- General Rheumatology (Westmead & Blacktown Hospitals)
- Biologics (Westmead Hospital)
- Complex Rheumatology Disorders (Westmead Hospital)
- Back Pain (Westmead Hospital)
- Osteoarthritis (Auburn Hospital)
- Pulmonary Hypertension (Westmead, combined clinic with Cardiology and Respiratory)
- Psoriasis/Psoriatic Arthritis (Westmead, combined clinic with Dermatology)
- Gout (Westmead Hospital)
- Transitional Arthritis Clinic (Westmead Hospital)
Our team
- Prof Peter Wong, Head of Department, Rheumatology (Blacktown and Westmead Hospitals). Phone: (02) 8890 8099 Email: Peter.Wong2@health.nsw.gov.au
- Raseena Saleem, Departmental Secretary (Westmead) Phone: (02) 8890 8099
| Prof Peter Wong | Westmead (Biologics, Psoriasis/Psoriatic Arthritis, Pulmonary Hypertension) and Blacktown (Gen Rheum) |
| A/Prof Ken Cai | Westmead (Gen Rheum and Gout) |
| Dr Carmella Gunasingam | Westmead (Biologics) |
| Dr Bev Ng | Westmead (Gen Rheum) |
| Dr Haesung Bak | Westmead (Complex Rheum) |
| Dr Wendy Lau | Westmead (Back Clinic) and Blacktown (Gen Rheum) |
| Dr Shi-nan Luong | Blacktown (Gen Rheum) |
| Dr Jingyajianna He | Westmead (Biologics) |
| Dr Nicholas Malouf | Westmead (Biologics) |
Emeritus Prof Nicholas Manolios AM | Research (honorary) and Consultant Emeritus |
| A/Prof David Spencer | Honorary Medical Officer |
| Dr Graydon Howe | Consultant Emeritus |
| A/Prof Grant Logan |
Contact us
Phone: (02) 8890 8099
Email: WSLHD-Rheumatology@health.nsw.gov.au
Phone: (02) 8670 0086
Email: WSLHD-Rheumatology@health.nsw.gov.au
Location: Westmead Hospital
Cnr Hawkesbury Road and Darcy Road
Westmead NSW 2145
Phone for appointments: (02) 8890 6544
Fax to send us your doctor's referral: (02) 8890 8333
Phone: (02) 8890 8099
Email: WSLHD-Rheumatology@health.nsw.gov.au
Research
The Department is an active research unit. Broad areas of research are:
- In the field of drug design
- The molecular biology of rheumatic disease
- Vaccination
- Bone health
- Medication adherence
- Crystal arthritis
- Pharmaceutical-sponsored clinical trials of novel therapeutics
Current research within the Department includes:
- The use of point-of-care ultrasound as an educational tool to improve patient medication adherence
- Vaccine coverage in biologics patients.
- Bone density measurement using ultrasound (REMS) instead of DEXA.
- Novel models of care for gout
- Transdermal administration of cannabis -like substances for pain relief for arthritis.
The Rheumatology Department actively supports training of clinicians through tutorials lectures and teaching sessions across the WSLHD.