The Northern Territory (NT) RHD Control Program aims to reduce the burden of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in the NT population by supporting the delivery of improved detection, monitoring, and management of ARF and RHD. The Control Program performs several key roles to achieve this including:

• Maintenance of the RHD Register: a Territory-wide patient database which supports the delivery of best practice care;
• Surveillance of new and recurrent ARF episodes and RHD diagnoses;
• Instigating public health responses and responding to disease outbreaks;
• Education, training and support for health care providers across the primary and tertiary health sectors; 
• Culturally appropriate education, health promotion and engagement with individuals living with ARF/RHD, their families and community;
• Ongoing provision of regular, tailored reports and datasets to health care providers to enhance care co-ordination and improve secondary prophylaxis; and
• Annual provision of data to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare to enable national monitoring and reporting of ARF and RHD.

The Program collaborates with acute care facilities (including regional hospitals) and clinicians directly responsible for patient care. Activities are embedded within the NT Government primary health care system and staff work closely with regional and remote Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services. The Program directly supports health services by providing a telephone support service, access to the NT register, and reports from the register. Reciprocal relationships to support and improve patient care also exist with oral health, and cardiac and paediatric outreach services.  

Legislated notification of ARF and RHD

Medical Practitioners have a legal obligation to notify cases of ARF and RHD in the NT. For more information contact the Program in Darwin (08) 8922 8454 or Central Australia (08) 8922 5590.

Data protection

The release of clinical data from the register is governed by processes which protect the privacy and confidentiality of individuals. Queries should be directed to NT Program Manager.

Resources

• NT Government Website »
• Information for NT Health Professionals »
• The 2020 Australian guideline for prevention, diagnosis and management of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease (3rd edition) »
• NT CARPA Standard Treatment Manual 8th edition »

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