#2328_WSLHD_CPH_YIR 2023_4A_WEB

HEALTH PROTECTION

Housing and Health Advocacy and Support Program Our Environmental Health team collaborated with Narang Bir-rong, an Aboriginal non government organisation whose role is to support families at risk of separation, to improve housing conditions and child safety in the homes of client families. This included developing a culturally appropriate pathway for reporting housing maintenance issues to social housing providers, and further training is planned to improve skills and awareness of Narang Bir-rong workers in identifying housing maintenance issues that impact the health of their clients. 2023 outcomes: • A child safety resource pack developed for distribution to Narang Bir-rong clients. • Funding ($6,000) secured from NSW Health Aboriginal Environmental Health Unit for 52 child safety kits, for distribution to Narang Bir-rong clients in early 2024.

L-R Vickie Thomson, Helen Noonan, Daniel Bakr, Annie Truong, Damaris Jong at a 2023 NAIDOC event.

“The best thing about working as an Environmental Health Officer (EHO) is the variety of the things that come across our desk. In any one day we could be investigating the exposure source for a Legionnaires disease case; helping someone with their concerns about asbestos exposure; and then setting up or collecting mosquito traps in the urban bushland fringe parts of the District. Our favourite time of the year and also part of our role is attending NAIDOC and Aboriginal Children’s Day events with the Mr Germ handwashing program. The best part is bringing trainees and other new public health professionals along with us and seeing them dress up for the first time in the Mr Germ or Germinator costumes and entertaining and engaging with the kids. We have an amazing team of fellow EHOs; we share and explore and grow from each other’s knowledge and experiences every day.” – Helen Noonan, Annie Truong, Damaris Jong (Environmental Health team)

HEALTH PROMOTION HEALTH PREVENTION

HEALTH PROTECTION

Smoke-free outdoor dining in Parramatta

Our Environmental Health team is responsible for investigating non-compliance with the Smoke Free Environment Act and Regulations. In conjunction with our Smoking and Vaping Prevention team, we partnered with City of Parramatta to make all Council-owned footpath dining areas completely smoke-free.

Each child safety kit includes: • Fire blanket and first aid kit • Electrical outlet covers • Oven, safety cabinet and adjustable window locks • Door pinch guards • Corner cushions • Safe bath temperature thermometers and bath mats

2023 outcomes: 43 new signs on Council infrastructure along “Eat Street” Parramatta declaring outdoor dining areas are ‘No smoking, No vaping, No Shisha’.

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WSLHD Centre for Population Health Year in Review 2023