The Northern Territory (NT) RHD Control Program aims to reduce the burden of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in the NT population by supporting the delivery of improved detection, monitoring, and management of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. The Control Program performs several key roles to achieve this including:
- maintenance of a Territory-wide rheumatic heart disease register which aligns with National Guidelines and supports the delivery of best practice care.
- surveillance of new and recurrent rheumatic fever episodes and rheumatic heart disease diagnoses.
- instigating public health responses and responding to acute rheumatic fever 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 acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, 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 acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.
The Program collaborates with acute care facilities (including regional hospitals) and clinicians directly responsible for patient care. Activities are embedded within the NT Government public health and primary health care system and staff also 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 rheumatic heart disease 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 acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease 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
- Australian guidelines for prevention, diagnosis and management of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease (3rd edition)
- NT CARPA Standard Treatment Manual 8th edition
CONTACT
Top End Region
T: (08) 8922 8454
F: (08) 8922 8277
E: RHDDarwin.ths@nt.gov.au
Central Australia Region
T: (08) 8951 6903
F: (08) 8951 7900
E: RHDAliceSprings.THS@nt.gov.au