Experts agree on national priorities for preventing and treating rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.

For a week in May, the University of Sydney became the hub of knowledge for rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in Australia.

Between May 11th and 15th 2015, RHDAustralia raised awareness, shared knowledge and sought solutions to this important, and completely preventable, health issue. 

The week of events included a two day professional development workshop for New South Wales health professionals and a one day Colloquium to debate and agree national priorities to improve outcomes for people living with rheumatic heart disease and reduce the incidence of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.  Other highlights were an evening symposium and the launch of the END RHD CRE.

For the Colloquium, RHDAustralia brought together stakeholders from policy, clinical practice and research to discuss the development of a framework for a patient-centred model of care for acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in the Australian context. Experts from all jurisdictions bought their own understanding of the challenges involved in preventing ARF and treating RHD.

Professor Bart Currie, Director of RHDAustralia said of the day “This was a rare opportunity to draw on the combined expertise of researchers, clinicians and those delivering frontline services. New opportunities, new knowledge and new technology make us optimistic that we can make a real difference. The vision is that by working collaboratively we can eliminate what is an entirely preventable condition,” said Professor Currie.

A major outcome of the day was consensus on six national priorities:

• Investment and focus on community education
• Improved data linkages
• Improved provision of long acting penicillin as a secondary prevention strategy    
• Investment and focus on primary and primordial prevention
• Development of Australian sore throat diagnosis and treatment guidelines
• Better integration of health system to improve patient outcomes