bay of plenty and lakes rheumatic fever prevention plan · bay of plenty and lakes rheumatic fever...

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Bay of Plenty and Lakes Rheumatic

Fever Prevention Plan:

Bay of Plenty DHB

2013 – 2017 (refreshed as at 20 October 2015)

Summary version

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Foreword In most of the developed world rheumatic fever is thought of as one of those diseases that people used to get. Here in New Zealand it is still very much a problem. It is a particularly cruel illness, often snatching away a child’s or teenager’s potential, just when they should be gaining their confidence and independence. A complication of a seemingly minor throat infection can lead to heart disease, disability and years of treatment. This scenario plays out month after month; the number of cases still unacceptably high and unequally affecting Māori, Pacific and deprived communities.

From 2009, Bay of Plenty and Lakes DHBs have led and funded a comprehensive approach to reduce rheumatic fever, working closely with affected communities. As national awareness of the issue grew, local initiatives have been absorbed into a national drive to prevent rheumatic fever.

The additional focus and funding that has flowed from the national campaign, has had an impact. Data on cases and their management has never been so complete. There is greater awareness of rheumatic fever and its importance among professionals and communities, established school-based services, a register of cases to make sure secondary cases are prevented, and a core of dedicated staff and community leaders. Television advertising has for the first time alerted the public right across the country to the issue. Efforts to address the underlying determinants of this illness, in particular poor housing conditions, are now benefiting from a clear health service focus, and cross agency approach.

Despite best endeavours, cases of acute rheumatic fever have continued to occur locally and nationally, and rates have remained stubbornly high. There are, however, some encouraging signs of change. The early part of 2015 saw a fall in rates of hospital admissions, and preliminary evaluation of school based services at the national level, showed modest effectiveness in preventing cases. The detailed findings are awaited, as are the results of other research into rheumatic fever that have been commissioned as part of the national programme.

The structure of a comprehensive approach to preventing rheumatic fever has at last been put in place across NZ, and there are now belated, but welcome signs that a difference may be emerging.

Continuing to accept a small but steady number of ill children every year is, as I said in the foreword to the first version of this plan, not an option.

Now is not the time to lose our nerve. Rheumatic fever doesn’t happen in modern, developed countries. It shouldn’t be happening here.

Dr Jim Miller

Medical Officer of Health

Chairperson

Lakes/BOP Rheumatic Fever Steering Group

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Bay of Plenty DHB Rheumatic Fever Prevention Plan (refreshed version) sign-off

This document has been reviewed and accepted as the refreshed Bay of Plenty DHB Rheumatic

Fever Prevention Plan from 1 January 2016 and beyond 30 June 2017.

Name: Phil Cammish

Chief Executive

Bay of Plenty DHB

___________________ 20/10/2015

Signature

Name: Punohu McCausland

Chairperson, Maori Health Runanga

Bay of Plenty DHB

____________________ 20/10/2015

Signature

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List of Abbreviations ARF Acute Rheumatic Fever

BAU Business as Usual

BOP Bay of Plenty

BOPDHB Bay of Plenty District Health Board

BPS Better Public Services

CHW Community Health Worker

CME/CNE Continuing Medical Education/Continuing Nursing Education

CoBoP Collaboration Bay of Plenty

DNS District Nursing Service

EECA Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority

EBOP Eastern Bay of Plenty

EBPHA Eastern Bay Primary Health Alliance

GAS Group A Streptococcus

GP General Practice / Practitioner

HNZ Housing New Zealand

ICD codes International Classification of Disease codes

INR International Normalisation Ratio (for use of warfarin anticoagulant)

MoH Ministry of Health

MOH Medical Officer of Health

NHF National Heart Foundation

NMO Ltd Nga Mataapuna Oranga Primary Health Organisation

PHN Public Health Nurse

PHO Primary Health Organisation

PoPAG Population Health Professional Advisory Group

RAPHS Rotorua Area Primary Health Services

RHD Rheumatic Heart Disease

Toi Te Ora Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service

WBOP Western Bay of Plenty

WBOPPHO Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation

WISH Whakatohea Iwi Social and Health Services

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Section 1: Overview of rheumatic fever in Bay Of Plenty and Lakes District Health Boards (DHBs)

1.0 Background Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) has been clearly recognised as a significant problem in New

Zealand which needs to be addressed. Bay of Plenty DHB (BOPDHB) and Lakes DHB

recognised ARF as a priority issue in 2008. In 2009 a joint steering group was established to

lead a range of DHB-funded initiatives to address rheumatic fever which are now operating

largely as business as usual. Ministry of Health (MoH) funded projects were introduced in

2012, with further MoH-funded programmes introduced in 2015.

The approach taken so far has been based firmly on the Heart Foundation rheumatic fever

guidelines, taking into account the local epidemiology and community wishes.

Programmes are now in place in the following areas:

1. raising public awareness that ‘sore throats matter’

2. continuing professional development for health professionals and Community Health

Workers (CHWs)

3. school-based throat swabbing campaigns, with linked activity in reducing skin

diseases

4. improved notification of new cases to the Medical Officer of Health (MOH)

5. implementation of rapid-response clinics in medium-risk areas not covered by school-

based programmes

6. housing improvement and assistance to “live well together” to reduce structural and

functional crowding

7. improving case management, including development of a rheumatic fever register

across Lakes and BOP DHBs

8. enhanced surveillance and root-cause analysis of cases

A range of positive results have been demonstrated to date. These include raised

awareness of rheumatic fever in higher risk communities and the general public; increased

awareness of the sore throat guidelines among GPs; the establishment of a register in

BOPDHB district; school-based throat swabbing programmes in 30 decile 1-3 schools that

are operating to agreed protocols, having gained the support of local communities. To date

though, there is no clear evidence of a sustained trend to reduced rates of ARF in the BOP.

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1.1 Purpose of the plan The purpose of this refreshed plan is firstly to enable BOPDHB, Lakes DHB and their partner

organisations to co-ordinate services and prioritise initiatives to achieve the national Better

Public Services (BPS) target to reduce the incidence of rheumatic fever by two thirds to 1.3

cases per 100,000 people by June 2017. The plan also signals the level of continuing

preventive services to be provided from 1 July 2017 until June 2022. The BOPDHB

refreshed plan goes beyond the reduction of ARF, by also focusing on minimizing the impact

of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in the population served by BOP and Lakes DHBs through

coordinated secondary service provision. About 80% of children and young people develop

Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) following Acute Rheumatic Fever. A Maori man with RHD

lives 12 years and a Maori woman lives 17 years less than Maori without RHD. Acute

Rheumatic Fever’s long shadow is RHD.

While some limited evidence is emerging nationally and locally on which services are most

likely to achieve the BPS target, it is likely that more evidence will be produced from

evaluations undertaken in the future. This refreshed plan therefore will need to be reviewed

regularly to ensure that practice is aligned to the most recent at hand.

1.2 BOP and Lakes DHBs – a shared approach In order to achieve the Better Public Services target to reduce rheumatic fever, a shared

approach has been taken by BOP and Lakes DHBs, as there is significant regional work that

is common to both. This includes the development of a single rheumatic fever register,

awareness raising, clinical and peer support for the school-based programmes and

continuing professional development for health professionals. There is a shared

commitment to continue to work together to meet this challenging target.

However, it is also recognised that in some areas, different approaches are warranted. This

is reflected in the development of two separate plans, one for Lakes DHB and one for

BOPDHB, which share a common overview but provide DHB-specific interventions.

1.3 Commitment to reducing rheumatic fever in the BOP and Lakes DHBs

1.3.1. Target data Lakes and BOP DHBs are committed to reducing the incidence of rheumatic fever to levels

set by the Better Public Services targets. The specific targets for each DHB are summarised

in Tables 1 and 2 along with the National targets.

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Table 1: Acute rheumatic fever initial hospitalisation target rates per year for Lakes and BOPDHBs (per 100,000

total population), 2012/13 to 2016/17

District Health Board 2009/10–2011/12 Baseline

rate

(3-year

average

rate)

2012/13 Target: Remain at

baseline level

2013/14 Target: 10%

reduction

from

baseline

level

2014/15 Target: 40%

reduction

from

baseline

level

2015 /16 Target: 55%

reduction

from

baseline

level

2016/17 Target: 2/3

reduction

from

baseline

level

Lakes 7.8 7.8 7.0 4.7 3.5 2.6

Bay of Plenty 3.8 3.8 3.4 2.3 1.7 1.3

New Zealand 4.0 4.0 3.6 2.4 1.8 1.3

Table 2: Acute rheumatic fever initial hospitalisation target numbers per year for Lakes and BOP DHBs (total

population), 2012/13 to 2016/17

District Health Board 2009/10–2011/12

Baseline numbers

(3-year average rate)

2012/13 Target:

Remain at baseline level

2013/14 Target:

10% reduction from baseline level

2014/15 Target:


2015 /16 Target:


2016/17 Target:

2/3 reduction from baseline level

Lakes 8 8 7 5 4 3

Bay of Plenty 8 8 7 5 4 3

New Zealand 177 177 162 109 83 62

1.3.2 Performance data The actual performance against these targets for the years 2012/13, 2013/14 and 2014/15 is

shown in Table 3: Table 3: Actual acute rheumatic fever hospitalisation rates and numbers per year for Lakes and BOP DHBs (total

population), 2012/13 to 2014/15 (data provided by Ministry of Health)

District Health Board 2012/13 actual 2013/14 actual 2014/15 actual Rates Numbers Rates Numbers Rates Numbers

Lakes 6.8 7 3.9 4 5.8 6

Bay of Plenty 3.3 7 4.6 10 3.2 7

New Zealand Total 4.0 179 3.9 175 3.0 135 New Zealand Maori 12.7 10.6 8.8 New Zealand Pacific 25.9 31.6 22.5

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A brief summary of the demographics of the 44 cases of first episode AFRF notifications to

the Medical Officer of Health from 1 January 2010 to 30 September 2015 shows that:

• A total of 31 cases were in the eastern BOP and 13 in the western BOP

• A total of 21 cases came from geographical areas where full school-based throat

swabbing programmes are currently in place, 18 resided in areas where there is

reasonable access to current rapid response clinics, and 3 were in areas that are

outside of sore throat management programmes other than routine general practice.

• Of the 44 cases, 39 were Maori, 3 Pacific, one NZE and one Unknown using the

prioritised ethnicity classification system

• A total of 36 cases were aged 5-14, 4 were aged 15-19 and 4 were <5 or >20 years

of age.

1.4 Rheumatic fever champions The BOP and Lakes rheumatic fever champions have been nominated by their respective

DHBs and all are members of the BOP and Lakes rheumatic fever steering group. One of

the key tasks of the champions is to act as the main point of contact for rheumatic fever

issues in each DHB. The Lakes and BOP DHBs Rheumatic Fever Champions will work

within the two DHBs and with equivalent champions across other DHBs, to drive and co-

ordinate actions in each DHB plan to achieve DHB targets.

1.4.1 Lakes DHB Dr Johan Morreau (Community Paediatrician) and Dr Neil Poskitt (General Practitioner and

Clinical Leader of Child Health for RAPHS) are the rheumatic fever champions for Lakes

DHB. One of the key tasks of the champions is to act as the main point of contact for

rheumatic fever issues in Lakes. Dr Poskitt, in conjunction with RAPHS, has been key to the

development of the Rheumatic Fever Register. This provides the capability to audit current

rates, trends, adherence rates and review of patient care.

Elise Pope (rheumatic fever co-ordinator) is the champion for continuous monitoring and

performance of prophylaxis care, interlinking primary and secondary health care services

and assisting in the transition from child to adult care for rheumatic fever patients throughout

Lakes DHB.

1.4.2 BOPDHB Dr John Malcolm (Paediatrician, Whakatane Hospital) and Pamela Barke (Nurse Leader

Regional Community Services) are the rheumatic fever champions for the BOPDHB. John’s

appointment provides paediatric medical oversight for programmes, and draws on his

considerable expertise and interest in rheumatic fever issues over many years.

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Pamela Barke is the champion for monitoring performance of the delivery of Benzathine

Penicillin prophylaxis. This work is also linked to the steering group priority goals to develop

a regional rheumatic fever register and audit Bi-cillin delivery. The district nurses also

provide education and facilitate follow up care for patients with a diagnosis of acute

rheumatic fever and/or rheumatic heart disease (RHD).

1.4.3 Future Governance provisions To date, the governance of the BOP Rheumatic Fever Prevention Plan has been through the

BOP and Lakes DHBs Rheumatic Fever Steering Group. This Group has included all the key

stakeholders, but at a senior clinical and portfolio manager, Planning and Funding level. This

group will continue to provide immediate oversight for the refreshed BOP Rheumatic Fever

Prevention Plan.

The BOPDHB is currently entering into early discussions on possible new governance

arrangements across the wider central government sector as part of strategic thinking to

better integrate the health and social sectors. This new governance body will include the

Ministries of Education and Social Development, and Te Puni Kokiri as a minimum. The role

of this new Governance Group is to provide strategic oversight of a range of intersectoral

activities, including most likely:

• Social Sector Trial sites in Whakatane and Kawerau;

• Community Response Forum;

• Better Public Service targets, including rheumatic fever prevention;

• BOPDHB’s Child and Youth Strategy, which is jointly signed off by MSD, MoE and

BOPDHB;

• MBIE contract streamlining and accountability/audit processes.

Membership of the Governance Group will be at senior Executive levels in each

organisation.

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Section 2: Overarching actions to reduce the incidence of rheumatic fever in the BOP and Lakes districts

2.0 Overview of the prevention of ARF and RHD The overarching goal for BOP and Lakes DHBs is to reduce the incidence of rheumatic fever

amongst the total population (but primarily Māori and Pacific peoples) by two thirds by June

2017. In order to achieve this, there are a number of critical prevention stages:

Primordial prevention: Broad social, economic and environmental initiatives undertaken to

prevent or limit the impact of GAS infection in a population. BOP and Lakes DHBs will

undertake interventions aimed at preventing the transmission of Group A streptococcal

throat infections in crowded housing situations through the continuation of the Healthy

Homes Initiative funded by the Ministry until 31 December 2016. DHBs have less direct

influence on child poverty and other social issues, but will work with local government and

other central governments agencies where possible, including through cross sector

programmes such as Children’s Action Team, Social Sector Trials and Whanau Ora, to

improve living standards for vulnerable children and young people.

Primary prevention: Reducing GAS transmission, acquisition, colonisation and carriage or

treating GAS infection effectively to prevent the development of ARF in individuals. BOP and

Lakes interventions will be aimed at school, community and primary health care level

through appropriate detection and management of GAS pharyngitis. Primary prevention also

includes community awareness raising initiatives and continuing professional development

for health professionals.

Secondary prevention: Administering regular prophylactic antibiotics to individuals who

have had an episode of ARF to prevent the development of RHD or to individuals who have

established RHD to prevent the progression of the disease. In the BOP and Lakes,

secondary prevention is closely linked to the implementation of a regional register, with

monitoring and auditing capabilities. Care pathways and Bi-cillin prophylaxis protocols are

also aimed at preventing further recurrence of ARF and RHD.

Tertiary prevention: Intervention in individuals with RHD to reduce symptoms and disability

and prevent premature death. BOP and Lakes DHBs acknowledge the need to ensure

excellent clinical follow up of patients with an existing diagnosis of ARF and RHD. The BOP

and Lakes rheumatic fever register operated by RAPHS will support this work.

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2.1 BOP and Lakes shared priorities 2013-2017 There is significant regional work that is common to both DHBs to achieve the goal of

reducing rheumatic fever. Since 2009, efforts to address rheumatic fever have been led by

the Lakes/BOP Rheumatic Fever Steering Group. A multifaceted approach was adopted

including the revision of priorities from year to year, with a focus on primary, secondary and

to a lesser extent tertiary prevention. With the adoption of a challenging national target for

the reduction of rheumatic fever rates and confirmation that health is to take the lead across

sectors, primordial prevention will be a new and significant area of work. The steering group

agreed broad priorities for action across both DHBs from 2013 to 2017, these being:

• addressing the determinants of health, in particular poor housing conditions and

crowding;

• establishment of a rheumatic fever register across BOP and Lakes districts;

• community awareness raising;

• continuing professional development for health professionals;

• easier access to primary care;

• ensuring the delivery of high quality school-based programmes in high risk areas to

ensure that children have access to prompt treatment, to ensure that services are

operating safely, and to contribute to national evaluations of effectiveness;

• meaningful monitoring – process and outcome evaluation.

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2.2 What does this mean for BOPDHB and the BOP school based sore throat swabbing programme? The national interim evaluation has provided some useful insights. While unfortunately not

achieving statistical significance, there is encouragement that the programmes have been

partially successful in reducing the incidence of RF, and may be an important component of

a DHB's programme to achieve the RF target. In regards to BOPDHB, our population, and

our school based programme, there are some aspects which limit direct comparison

between the national evaluation and the potential effectiveness or cost effectiveness of the

service in our region.

The cost of delivering the school based programmes in BOPDHB is considered to be lower

than figures used in the interim evaluation:

• The total school rolls of the 29 schools in the programme is 4,551 as at July 2014.

Based on an approximate 98% consent rate to throat swabbing, then there are 4,460

children able to access the programme.

• The total cost of the school-based throat swabbing programme is $721,667 per

annum, including the agreement prices for all providers, laboratory testing costs, and

the costs of the nursing clinical assurance oversight.

• Therefore the costs per child per annum are $161.81 c.f. Counties-Manukau DHB

costs used in the economic analysis of $200 per child per annum.

Further to the national evaluation, a local audit and evaluation on preliminary data reported a

non-statistically significant decrease in RF rates for Māori children (aged 5-14) in eastern

BOP intervention schools – Opotiki, Kawerau and Tuhoe programmes. In the pre-

intervention period from 2000 to 2010, Maori children aged 5-14 had a ARF rate of

128.7/100,000 (95%CI 60.6-177.4), and in the intervention period from 2011 to 2014, the

rate was 50.7/100,000 (95%CI 16.3-118.3). This data is to be updated for the 2014/15 year

and the inclusion of the Murupara programme. This unpublished audit and evaluation may

provide some broad indication that RF rates may be reducing in the Eastern BOP. However,

because of small numbers, we are unsure how robust this observation is and to what we

should attribute any changes.

The reduced costs of the BOPDHB school-based throat swabbing programme would have

an effect on the cost per QALY gained for the programme. The BOPDHB programme is also

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not limited to solely the prevention of RF, with linked activities to reduce skin diseases and

highlight the importance of good hygiene practices.

It is appreciated that school based sore throat swabbing programmes are not likely to allow

DHBs to reach RF targets on their own, rather they are seen as a interim approach while

other initiatives increase primary care access. In BOPDHB school based programmes are

one component of the RFPP, with further initiatives detailed elswhere in this Plan.

When school based sore throat swabbing commenced in BOPDHB (in 2009), it was

acknowledged the programme would continue beyond the period funded by MOH.

Stakeholder and community engagement has shown us that the school based programmes

are valued and well received in communities, and act to increase awareness of RF and the

importance of sore throat management in whanau. The interim national evaluation of school

based sore throat programmes does not have a sufficient number of cases to demonstrate a

statistically significant effectiveness in reducing ARF, however it does suggest that the

programme is likely to reduce the number of cases, and act as a useful adjunct to the other

initiatives BOPDHB is employing in order to reach the BPS target of rheumatic fever

incidence reduction. It is interesting to note that an evaluation undertaken by Dr Janine

Stevens of Hawke’s Bay DHBs Say Ahh programme in Flaxmere, also recommended that

the programme should continue. While recognising the challenges in continuing the

programme, such as increasing costs due to increased service utilisation, concens about

over-use of antibiotics, and opportunity costs for other health service priorities, the

recommendation supported continuation of the programme unless conclusive evidence

showed that the programme’s benefits were less than these costs.

2.3 Laboratory data Data supplied by Path Lab for Group A streptococcus swab tests from January 2010 to

September 2015 shows a steady increase in the number of swabs taken in:

• the school-based throat swabbing programme, as additional schools have been

included;

• in general practice, as community awareness increases and health practitioners are

more familiar with accepted best pactice;

• in hospital emergencency departments, as community awareness increases.

Positivity rates have trended downwards in general practice, with positivity rates being lower

in the 2013 to 2015 to date period in comparison with the 2010 to 2011 period. Overall the

percentage of swabs which tested positive taken in A&E was significantly higher than those

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taken in general practice, which in turn was higher than swabs from the school programme.

That is likely to reflect the severity of symptoms in the people presenting to the different

services.

Table 4 shows the data from the school-based throat swabbing programme, general

practice, and hospital emergency departments.

Table 4: Path Lab data for GAS swab testing – BOPDHB district

Year School-based General practice Hospital Emergency Department

No of swabs

No of +ve swabs

Positivity rate

No of swabs

No of +ve swabs

Positivity rate

No of swabs

No of +ve swabs

Positivity rate

2010 2,040 206 10.1% 7,095 1,336 18.8% 619 116 18.7%

2011 5,954 600 10.1% 9,301 1,800 19.4% 664 138 20.8%

2012 9,659 988 10.2% 6,017 1,732 28.8% 943 193 20.5%

2013 13,734 1,300 9.5% 13,104 1,888 14.4% 1,123 211 18.8%

2014 15,579 1,276 8.2% 16,422 2,031 12.4% 1,285 192 14.9%

2015 to Sept 10,224 987 9.7% 14,283 1,487 15.1% 1,093 169 15.5%

2010 to date 57,190 5,357 9.4% 66,222 10,274 15.5% 5,727 1,019 17.8%

The following graphs present the same data for the general practice swab testing results.

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2.4 Root cause analysis data The following flow diagrams showing the outcomes of the national and local system failure

analysis reports disclose that not much more than half of diagnosed cases of rheumatic

fever had any memory of a sore throat throat. Dr S Schulman noted this also as the ARF

programme in Baltimore, USA took effect. Of those that did note a sore throat, about a third

saw a health professional and were prescribed the right antibiotics, although strict adherence

to taking the antibiotics is not known. This supports that:

• reliance cannot be placed on sore throat management as a means to achieve a

target of two-thirds reduction.

• Improvements can be made in the sore throat management pathway, which if

achieved would potentiallly reduce the risk of acute rheumatic fever in children

identified with sore throats.

• echocardiographic screening needs further consideration and the outcome of 2013

Heart Foundation, MOH, Te Puni Kokiri and HRC funded evaluation research may

have a bearing.

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Analysis of national system failure analysis reports 2014/15

± ⅔ completed course ± ⅓ did not complete course (intervention: improved adherence education)

25 got right antibiotic

31 got antibiotics 6 did not get right antibiotic (Intervention: more health professional education) 42 saw a health professional 11 did not get antibiotics (Intervention: more health professional education) 69 remembered having a sore throat 27 did not see a health professional (Interventions: individual, whanau and community awareness raising/ improved access to primary care including rapid response clinics) 127 systems failure analysis reports completed 58 did not remember having a sore throat (Intervention: improving housing programme, echocardiographic screening?)

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Analysis of BOP case review forms 2014/15

Unknown if completed course? did not complete course (intervention: improved adherence education)

1 got right antibiotic

1 got antibiotics 0 did not get right antibiotic (Intervention: more health professional education) 1 saw a health professional

(recurrent case) 0 did not get antibiotics (Intervention: more health professional education) 3 remembered having a sore throat (includes recurrent case) 2 did not see a health professional (Interventions: individual, whanau and community awareness raising/ improved access to primary care including rapid response clinics) 7 (6 initial ARF and 1 recurrent) Case review reports completed 4 did not remember having a sore throat (Intervention: improving housing programme, echocardiographic screening?)

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Section 3: Investment to reduce ARF incidence and RHD

Section 3.0 Introduction N.B. In this publicly available version of the BOP Rheumatic Fever Prevention Plan, funding is shown by general class of activity but not shown at an individual provider contractual level. If more detail is sought, contact the Planning and Funding team at BOPDHB.

This section outlines the service and funding decisions over the next few years. The overall

strategy is to make every effort to achieve the target by 30 June 2017, while keeping DHB

funding levels constant as the Ministry contribution decreases. From 2017/18 onwards, the

DHB funding levels may be able to be reduced, depending on outcomes against the national

and DHB target, and evidence of the most effective and cost-efficient services. The following

summary in Table 5 outlines budgets for the next three years and beyond.

Table 5: Summary of Budgets 2015/16 to 2017/18 and beyond

2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 + out years

DHB funding (contracted) 851,551 825,423 836,520

MoH funding (contracted) 430,375 98,875 0

Additional MoH funding (not contracted) 100,000 331,250 183,743

Total expenditure 1,381,926 1,255,548 1,020,263

3.1 BOPDHB resources committed to reducing rheumatic fever 2015/16 The BOPDHB has planned for the following investment to be made in reducing rheumatic

fever in 2015/16 (GST exclusive). Most of this resource is already committed in provider

agreements – Table 6 refers.

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Table 6: BOPDHB resources committed to reducing rheumatic fever 2015/16

Initiatives Cost $

School-based throat swabbing programmes

495,731 75,75,71

Community awareness raising

50,475

Rapid response clinics

245,000

Housing improvement initiatives

205,375

Laboratory testing

185,000

Coordination and governance

85,000

Clinical quality assurance of swabbing programmes Funded by DHB through EBPHA to provide quality assurance across all throat swabbing.50

40,936

Register ongoing costs

14,000

District nursing support

60,409

Total 1,381,926 Footnote: The table does not include investment where services are provided in kind. These include: Planning and Funding portfolio manager, contracts management, finance and overhead costs; PHO data analysis and evaluation costs; Paediatrics and Nursing contributions within Rh Fever Steering group. Also Toi Te Ora - Public Health Services Medical Officer of Health time and Communicable Diseases Nurse time in actual case management; costs within general practice, or routine District Nursing Services Bi-cillin management programme. This footnote applies also to Tables 7 and 8.

3.2 BOPDHB investment for 2016/17, including new initiatives The BOPDHB’s strategy for the 2016/17 year is to make every reasonable endeavour to

achieve the target, maintaining services at current levels as much as possible within funding

constraints. The Ministry has reduced its funding from 2015/16 levels by $100,250. The DHB

will also reduce its investment into programmes by $26,128 while maintaining core services.

The intention is to continue funding the following programmes during the 2016/17 year at the

same level as in 2015/16.

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Opotiki, Kawerau, Murupara, Tuhoe and Tauranga South school-based throat swabbing

programmes, considering any cost efficiencies that are practicable.

The community awareness raising programme delivered by NASH in eastern BOP.

Clinical quality assurance agreement with EBPHA.

Coordination and governance through Toi Te Ora - Public Health Service

Laboratory costs (ensuring that the block amount being paid currently aligns with the

volume of swabs being sent to PathLab, so that the price per swab remains competitive)


District nursing support for a Rheumatic Fever Coordinator

BOPDHB third party funding for all housing projects across the BOP, including those

specifically for rheumatic fever prevention whanau.

The DHB will continue to fund Ministry-initiated projects but with reduced funding and

changes to the service delivery model.

Housing Insulation Initiative scheme, with the pathway, referral criteria and processes be

streamlined from 1 January 2017, and be dependent on subsidy levels and criteria set by

EECA and other third party funding contributions.

A revamped Business as Usual primary and community-based service for rapid

response assessment and treatment of sore throats.

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Table 7: BOPDHB resources committed to reducing rheumatic fever 2016/17

Initiatives Cost $ Comment School-based throat swabbing programmes

495,731

495,731

No change from 2015/16 other than any cost efficiencies /12/15

Community awareness raising

50,475

No change from 2015/16

Rapid response clinics Revamp of services towards Business as Usual within primary and community care

135,123 Costs reduced from $245,000 in 2015/16


188,874 ,6871

Development of new service from 1/01/17 ment of new service from 1/01/1evelopm service from 1/01/17$98,875at $MoH 31 /12/1

Laboratory testing

185,000

No change from 2015/16, although savings will be

sought if swabbing numbers reduce.

Coordination and governance

85,000


Clinical quality assurance of swabbing programmes

.50

40,936 404 No change from 2015/16


14,000



60,409


Total 1,255,548 .175 Footnote: The BOPDHB will consider each funding line separately in this plan when agreements expire, as part of its annual budget planning process from 2016/17 onwards, in light of wider budget drivers and national and local priorities. It will also actively seek additional revenue streams from Ministry of Health and philanthropic trusts which align with this overall plan.

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3.3 BOPDHB investment for 2017/18 and later out years to 2021/22 The question of when school-based throat swabbing programmes should cease has not yet

been satisfactorily resolved nationally. Continuation of school-based throat swabbing in high

risk communities will largely be determined by their local success and all contributions to the

success in achieving the BPS target, and national evaluations and cost-efficiency analyses.

The BOPDHB’s strategy for the 2017/18 year and later out years to 2021/22 is to shift into a

maintenance mode, retaining a core of specific rheumatic fever prevention services as much

as possible within funding constraints, and building up Business as Usual primary and

community-based services. The shortfall in funding between 2015/16 programme costs, and

funding available from the DHB and MoH is $232,889 in 2017/18 and beyond if all services

delivered in 2016/17 were to continue, and the BOPDHB were to maintain existing

investment levels. Neither proviso is likely, although this will be dependent on whether the

DHB achieves the target by 2016/17. The DHB will therefore reduce the total costs of all

programmes from the 2016/17 figure of $1,255,548 to a maximum of $1,020,263. Of this

$1,020,263, $183,743 will be met by the Ministry of Health, with the balance met by the

BOPDHB. Further savings may occur once national evaluations provide clearer indications

of the effectiveness of different services.

The DHB intends to continue funding the following programmes during the 2017/18 year and

beyond at the same level as in 2015/16.

Opotiki, Kawerau, Murupara, Tuhoe and Tauranga South school-based throat swabbing

programmes, considering national evaluative evidence of effectiveness and cost -

efficiency.

Laboratory costs (ensuring that the block amount being paid currently aligns with the

volume of swabs being sent to PathLab, so that the price per swab remains competitive)


District nursing support for a Rheumatic Fever Coordinator

BOPDHB third party funding for all housing projects across the BOP, including those

specifically for rheumatic fever prevention whanau.

Housing Insulation Initiative scheme, although the pathway, referral criteria and

processes will be streamlined from 1 January 2017, and be dependent on subsidy levels

and criteria set by EECA and other third party funding contributions.

Revamped Business as Usual sore throat management services within primary and

community care.

In 2017/18 and out years, it is intended that the BOPDHB will cease contracting specifically

for the clinical quality assurance agreement with EBPHA, and the coordination and

23

governance through Toi Te Ora - Public Health Service. These activities will be embedded

as Business as Usual into the continuing school-based swabbing programme agreements,

and Toi Te Ora’s core Public Health Services agreement with the Ministry of Health

respectively. This will allow these services two years to plan for this change.

Table 8: BOPDHB resources committed to reducing rheumatic fever 2017/18 and out years

Initiatives Cost $ Comment School-based throat swabbing programmes

495,73175,75,71

No change from 2016/17 other than any cost efficiencies /12/15

Revamped Business as Usual sore throat management services within primary and community care

135,123 No change from 2016/17


130,000 501177,6871

No change from 2016/17 Development of new service from 1/01/17 Development of new98,875at $MoH 31 /12/1

Laboratory testing

185,000

No change from 2016/17, although savings will be

sought if swabbing numbers reduce.


14,000



60,409


Total 1,020,263 .175 Footnote: The BOPDHB will consider each funding line separately in this plan when agreements expire, as part of its annual budget planning process from 2017/18 onwards, in light of wider budget drivers and national and local priorities. It will also actively seek additional revenue streams from Ministry of Health and philanthropic trusts which align with this overall plan.

24

3.4 Co-benefits While the focus of this plan remains the prevention of Acute Rheumatic fever and Rheumatic

Heart Disease, there are a number of co-benefits associated with the work undertaken.

These include:

3.4.1 Prevention, early assessment and treatment of skin infections Up until recently, in New Zealand there has not been a demonstrated causal association

between streptococcal skin infections and rheumatic fever. However the same socio-

economic factors that result in skin infections are linked to rheumatic fever e.g. crowded

housing conditions, poverty and barriers to effective early primary health care. Therefore the

preventive actions taken for acute rheumatic fever would be expected to impact on the

incidence of skin infections and vice versa. Indeed, skin infections and cellulitis prevention

are delivered under the same agreement and by the same staff in the Kawerau programme,

with declining throat GAS, ARF and skin infections, and resources have been shared with all

other school-based throat swabbing and community awareness programmes in the BOP.

3.4.2 Respiratory infections in children Similarly to skin infections, the underlying factors causing respiratory infections in young

children are the same as for rheumatic fever i.e. crowded housing conditions, poverty and

barriers to effective early primary health care. Respiratory disease make up three of the top

six ASH conditions for 0-4 year olds (with skin infections a fourth condition). There are on

average 1,100 admissions of BOPDHB children aged 0-14 every year from respiratory

infections, with 89% being bronchiolitis, upper respiratory infections, pneumonia and lower

respiratory infections. In Whakatane 1 in 6 infants are admitted with bronchiolitis. A

childhood respiratory management pathway is being developed under Bay Navigator which

should include information around referral processes for home insulation and other

improvements.

3.4.3 Enrolment and ongoing engagement with primary health care With free primary care and access to prescriptions for all under 13 year olds in the BOP,

some (but not all) of the barriers to accessing primary health care have been removed.

There is still a need to increase engagement with primary health care for adolescents aged

13-19, who traditionally have low utilisation rates, particularly for conditions not associated

with injury or sexual and reproductive health. Needing to access primary care for sore throat

management, including pharmacy for antibiotics, will help to normalise routine primary care

consultations.

The enrolment rate for BOP residents in general practice and PHOs is generally high at

98+%, although those not enrolled will tend to be in those populations at risk of rheumatic

25

fever. Staff working in school-based and community rheumatic fever programmes check the

enrolment of all families they engage with.

These co-benefits illustrate there would be value in taking a more comprehensive approach

to well child health care to encompass a number of common issues as part of an integrated

service within communities. Community Health Workers can contribute local knowledge and

credibility. This wider approach within families could include as appropriate to the age of the

child:

• Housing improvements;

• Immunisation outreach;

• Skin infections and cellulitis;

• Sore throat management;

• Oral health;

• SUDI prevention;

• Breastfeeding promotion;

• Smoking cessation.

3.5 Re-designed Healthy Homes Initiative from January 2017 The BOPDHB has been involved in home insulation and broader home improvement

projects for many years. In conjunction with philanthropic trusts, private home insulation

providers, NGOs and Hauora services, it has developed expertise and experience in this

field, which has been strengthened with the Ministry of Health funded Healthy Homes

Initiative. The current situation in the BOP is as follows:

• There are existing community-based projects in Maketu and surrounding areas, and

Kawerau, with the potential for a new project in Murupara township in 2016.

• Philanthropic trusts e.g. BayTrust are funding home assessments, project

management, DIY workshops and community development as part of a long term

strategic direction.

• The two energy trusts, Tauranga Electricity Community Trust and Eastern Bay

Energy Trust, are acting as third party funders to support government funding

available through EECA. The DHB is contributing an additional $50,000 per annum

for home insulation funding.

• A comprehensive set of interventions alongside home insulation are now available

across most of the BOPDHB district. These include curtains, heaters, firewood,

clothing, bedding and blankets, budget advice, and Work and Income benefit

reviews, and are currently exploring ways to deliver free or low cost home

maintenance services.

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• The Ministry of Health Healthy Homes Initiative programme ceases at 31 December

2016. Through this programme, effective relationships have been developed with

MSD and HNZ.

The DHB is looking to establish a sustainable service across its district from 1 January 2017.

One of the problems at the moment is that there are a number of eligibility criteria for funding

of home insulations, set by EECA, the Ministry of Health, and third party funders. This has

resulted in a number of referral processes being in place, which leads to confusion amongst

health practitioners who are engaged with families who would benefit from home

improvements.

The intention is to simplify referral processes for all health practitioners by having a common

referral form that would be sent to a single clearing house. Having only one initial referral

form will allow the DHB to widen the sources of referrals to include general practice, public

health nurses and other health professional not currently involved in making referrals. This

organisation would be funded by the DHB to undertake healthy homes assessments; refer

for interventions to reduce crowding and make home improvements; provide home energy

awareness and healthy living together education; and report back to the DHB on

assessment and intervention outcomes. The assessments would be funded by the

philanthropic sector and home insulations would be funded by EECA and local funders

according to their criteria. It is likely that in future the government’s funding will be limited to

rental property, but that is the sector where the most uninsulated homes are.

The BOPDHB in conjunction with Lakes DHB and through Toi Te Ora-Public Health Service

will hold a workshop on healthy housing in about April 2016. This workshop will provide an

opportunity for existing projects to showcase their work, for key stakeholders to outline their

roles, and for discussion on future pathways for home insulation and other home

improvements. There may be opportunities to involve landlord and rental management

groups. The workshop may lead to the development of a permanent cross-agency forum for

health and housing issues, if that is the collective wish of the key stakeholders.

3.6 Revamped Business as Usual sore throat management services in primary and community care Although it is early days yet, the current rapid response clinic service may prove to be cost

ineffective in its current form. The service is more effective in the eastern BOP where it is

reaching into smaller communities that are medium to high risk through schools and general

27

practice. The western BOP service is for a large population and geographical area, and is

still relying on families to access a centralised service in Tauranga city, even if free and out

of normal hours, which is unlikely to overcome the usual barriers to accessing primary health

care. A revamp of the rapid response clinic service is likely to be required, particularly in the

western BOP, based on services that are more accessible to at-risk populations. This could

include greater use of school nurses in primary, intermediate and secondary schools, and

pharmacies. Further work is required with PHOs and others to refine this service. The

intention is to establish this new service no later than 1 July 2016, and earlier if necessary.

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Section 4: Action plan for 2015/16 and subsequent years

4.0 Introduction This section identifies detailed actions that BOPDHB will undertake to prevent the transmission of Group A streptococcal throat infections in

children and young people. Primordial prevention interventions will address housing conditions, general hygiene and skin infections. These

actions also fit with Toi Te Ora’s Goal 1: To reduce childhood admissions from ARF, respiratory and skin infections, each by 2/3rds in 5 years.

Please refer to the logic model diagram in Appendix 2.

N.B. This section is based on the content that was included in the original RFPP. Through the refresh progress, new or expanded actions

have then been developed for the 2015/16 and 2016/17 years leading up to the target assessment at 30 June 2017, and to 2017/18 and

beyond following that date. A lead person, agency or agencies are identified for each action, and a timeframe set for completion of that action.

This section can then be the basis for action reporting to the Ministry of Health.

Section Action Lead agency Timeframe

4.1 Housing

Housing advocacy plan to be finalised and implemented.

Ongoing implementation of advocacy plan.

Toi Te Ora Public Health

Service

Q3-4 2015/16 and ongoing

Housing report to be published on Toi Te Ora website


Service

Q3 2015/16

Qualitative housing research report completed. Information

used for advocacy.

Toi Te Ora Public Health Q3 2015/16 and ongoing

29

Service

Housing workshop completed. Scope the potential to establish

a wider BOP housing forum


Service

Planning and Funding, BOPDHB

Q4 2015/16

Ongoing review and monitoring of Healthy Homes Initiative Planning and Funding, BOPDHB

Sustainability Options Ltd

Tauranga Community Housing

Trust

Q1 2015/16 and ongoing

MoH-funded programme continues until 31 December 2016.

Programme to continue beyond 1 January 2017, but in

modified form.


Q2 2016/17

MoH/HPA ‘Key tips for a warmer, drier home’ toolkit promoted

and distributed to RF sector team and RF housing teams.

Toolkit includes messages for crowded whanau.


Sustainability Options Ltd

Tauranga Community Housing

Trust


30


Service

Toi Te Ora and Pacific Islands Community (Tauranga)

Trust/EBPHA to promote Pacific resources and information as

part of the wider RF awareness campaigns.


Service

Q4 2015/16

Toi Te Ora undertaking a revision of the ‘Our Home Our

Responsibility’ calendar.

The MoH/HPA ‘Key tips for a warmer, drier home toolkit’

promoted and utilised.


Service

Q4 2015/16

New housing referral and assessment system in place from 1

January 2017.

Planning and Funding BOPDHB Q2 2016/17

(Work with philanthropic sector, EECA, iwi Runanga, local

authorities and insulation companies to develop community

healthy housing projects.) Dependent on national government

decisions on continuation of EECA funding from 1 July 2016.

Likely to focus on private rental accommodation only.

Continue to explore opportunities for working with iwi.

Planning and Funding BOPDHB Q1 2015/16 and ongoing

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4.2 Improving general hygiene in education settings

Hygiene messages promoted by CHWs in the throat swabbing

schools

Throat swabbing project

providers


Hand and general hygiene awareness raising and education in

schools and ECEs.


Service


4.3 Reducing skin infections in schools, community and home settings

Healthy skin / skin infection information promoted via website,

CHWs, newsletters


Service


Ongoing awareness raising via the rheumatic fever

programme.


Service

Throat swabbing project

providers


Finalise and disseminate skin infection report and implement

the recommendations. Implement the recommendations of the

PoPAG and skin infection reports.

Planning and Funding BOPDHB


Service


Annual trend monitoring of skin infections Toi Te Ora Public Health

Service

Q3 2015/16 and annually in

2017 onwards

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4.4 Throat swabbing programmes

Ongoing funding of BOPDHB programmes will continue in

(2015/16 and 2016/17.

BOPDHB to pick up funding for Tuhoe programme from 1

January 2016.



Q1 2015/16

Q1 2016/17

Q3 2015/16

Ongoing funding of all school-based programmes will continue

as long as evaluations and cost efficiency analysis

demonstrates benefit.

Ministry of Health


Q1 2017/18

Feed back findings of MoH evaluations and analysis to primary

and secondary care.

Planning and Funding BOPDHB Q2 2015/16 and ongoing

Promote and utilise MoH on-line tools and best practice

outlined in the New Zealand Primary Care Handbook.

Rheumatic fever e-learning course promoted. CHWs to

complete course as part of ongoing training.


Service

EBPHA Rheumatic Fever Nurse

Coordinator

BOPDHB Rheumatic Fever

Clinical Champion

Q3 2015/16

Support school-based swabbing programmes.

EBPHA Rheumatic Fever Nurse

Coordinator


33

Review of first rapid response clinic initiatives, and seek quality

improvements. Explore further options to make primary care

more accessible and affordable e.g. drop in clinics, primary

care clinics attached to EDs, extended and weekend hours.

Develop a new programme to optimise access to free primary

care for sore throat management.


PHOs


4.5 Awareness raising of sore throats, Rheumatic Fever and its presentations, and Rheumatic Heart Disease

Yearly review and re-release (of a Rheumatic Fever

awareness raising communication plan).

The 2015/16 campaign to complement national awareness

campaigns, messages and resources. Campaign to include a

focus on local Pacific Island communities.


Service

Q2 2015/16

Presentations and discussions with ED, Orthopaedics, adult

medicine, primary care re 2014 NHF Guidelines. BOPDHB Rheumatic Fever

Clinical Champion Q3 2015/16

Incorporate 2014 RHD benchmarks from NHF into Bay

Navigator. BOPDHB Rheumatic Fever


The 2016/17 campaign to complement national awareness

campaigns (if held), messages and resources. Campaign to

include a focus on local Pacific Island communities.

Dissemination across BOP disciplines.


Service

Q4 2016/17

34

Development of early arthritis part of pathway to identify Septic

Arthritis Acute Rheumatic Fever.

Dissemination across BOP disciplines



4.6 Delivery and monitoring of

prophylactic antibiotics

Register will be utilised by BOP DNS, paediatricians,

cardiologists, physicians, Toi Te Ora.

Register implementation and utilisation for primary Bi-cillin

purposes; note facility supporting cardiac care INR for cardiac

and echo appointments.


Rotorua Area Primary Health

Services


Clinical Champion

Clinical Nurse Manager District

Nursing Services

Q2 2015/16

Handovers for Bi-cillin recipients of both Bi-cillin delivery and

cardiac care when moving between DHBs.


Nursing Services

Q2 2015/16

More frequent auditing to be undertaken once register is fully

functional.


Nursing Services


Q4 2015/16

35

Introduce analgesia utilisation to help comfort and adherence

in western BOP.


Nursing Services


Clinical Champion

Q4 2015/16

Fully functioning RF clinical register across Lakes/ BOP.

Continued funding and use of same.

Register review to support cardiac care INR for cardiac and

echo appointments.


Rotorua Area Primary Health

Services


Clinical Champion

Q1 2015/16

Ongoing quality improvement in DNS services. Ongoing use of

register to improve timeliness of secondary prophylaxis.


Nursing Services


36

4.7 Notification of ARF cases to the Medical Officer of Health (MOH)

Any exceptions are followed up with notifying doctor

Toi Te Ora analyst to compare hospitalisation figures with

notifications.


Service


4.8. Review of cases to identify known risk factors and system failure points

Root cause analysis reports completed for all notified ARF

patients. Feedback provided if required.


Service


4.9 Other actions to facilitate the effective follow-up of identified

RF cases

Review and improvements to pathway.


Clinical Champion


Service


Distribution of dental pack to all Bicillin patients and selected

other priority risk groups through throat swabbing schools and

rapid response clinics to be undertaken as funding allows for

replacement packs and packs for new patients.


Service


37

4.10 Interventions for patients who do not have established RHD

Implementation and review of a treatment plan for patients who

do not have established (or documented) rheumatic heart

disease.


Clinical Champion


4.11 Interventions for patients who do have established RHD

Incorporation of NHF guideline on follow up to Bay Navigator

pathway development. Register use of this. BOPDHB Rheumatic Fever

Clinical Champion


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Appendix 1 - Stakeholders

Stakeholders

BOP/ Lakes Rheumatic Fever Steering Group BOPDHB Planning and Funding and paediatrics teams Lakes DHB Planning and Funding and paediatrics teams BOPDHB Māori Health Planning and Funding team Lakes DHB Māori Health team Toi Te Ora - Public Health Service Eastern Bay Primary Health Alliance Korowai Aroha Rotorua Ngati Awa Social and Health Services Rotorua Area Primary Health Services (RAPHS), Te Ika Whenua Hauora Tuhoe Hauora Te Manu Toroa (Nga Mataapuna Oranga PHO) Whakatohea Iwi Social and Health Services BOP/ Lakes Rheumatic Fever Sector Group Eastern Bay PHA Toi Te Ora - Public Health Service Korowai Aroha Rotorua Ngati Awa Social and Health Services Te Ika Whenua Hauora Tuhoe Hauora Te Manu Toroa (Nga Mataapuna Oranga PHO) Whakatohea Iwi Social and Health Services Māori Health Services Lakes DHB Māori Health team BOPDHB Māori Health Planning and Funding team BOPDHB Regional Māori Health Services Te Puni Kokiri Housing Sector Smart Energy Solutions Ltd Sustainability Options Ltd Tauranga Community Housing Trust Eastern Bay Energy Trust Tauranga Electricity Community Trust BayTrust Ministry of Health Ministry of Social Development Housing New Zealand Population Health Professional Advisory Group (PoPAG) BOP Child and Youth Strategic Alliance BOPDHB and Lakes DHB cardiologists and echocardiography services

39

Appendix 2 – Logic model for Toi Te Ora Goal 1: Reduce childhood admissions from ARF, respiratory and skin infections, each by 2/3rds in 5 years

40

Appendix 3 - Schools on Rheumatic Fever Throat Swabbing programme

School Decile Roll Provider

Kawerau South School 1 313 Eastern Bay PHA

Putauaki Primary School 2 189 Eastern Bay PHA

Te Whata Tau o Putauaki 1 97 Eastern Bay PHA

Te Kura o Te Teko 1 156 Eastern Bay PHA

Te Mahoe School 1 39 Eastern Bay PHA

Tarawera High School, Kawerau 1 449 Eastern Bay PHA

Ashbrook School, Opotiki 1 143 Whakatohea iwi Social and Health Services

Kutarere School 1 35 Whakatohea iwi Social and Health Services

Omaramutu School 2 68 Whakatohea iwi Social and Health Services

St Joseph’s Catholic School, Opotiki 3 204 Whakatohea iwi Social and Health Services

Woodlands School, Opotiki 3 114 Whakatohea iwi Social and Health Services

Te Kura o Torere 2 28 Whakatohea iwi Social and Health Services

Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Waioeka 1 73 Whakatohea iwi Social and Health Services

Waiotahe Valley School 3 100 Whakatohea iwi Social and Health Services

Opotiki Primary 1 262 Whakatohea iwi Social and Health Services

Opotiki College 2 470 Whakatohea iwi Social and Health Services

Murupara Area School 1 311 Te Ika Whenua Hauora

41

Te Kura Kaupapa Motuhake o Tawhiuau, Murupara 1 127 Te Ika Whenua Hauora

Ruatoki School 2 157 Te Kaokao o Takapau, Tuhoe

Taneatua School 1 215 Te Kaokao o Takapau, Tuhoe

Tawera Bilingual School 2 34 Te Kaokao o Takapau, Tuhoe

Te Kura Mana Maori o Matahi 1 32 Te Kaokao o Takapau, Tuhoe

Te Kura Maori-a-Rohe Waiohau 1 33 Te Kaokao o Takapau, Tuhoe

Waimana School 2 38 Te Kaokao o Takapau, Tuhoe

Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Huiarau, Ruatahuna 1 72 Hinepukohurangi Trust, Tuhoe

Te Kura Toitu o Te Whaiti-nui-a-Toi 1 34 Hinepukohurangi Trust, Tuhoe

Gate Pa School, Tauranga 2 272 Te Manu Toroa

Greerton Village School, Tauranga 2 347 Te Manu Toroa

Merivale School, Tauranga 1 139 Te Manu Toroa

29 Schools in Total 1-3 4,551 6 providers in total

Notes:

1. Roll and decile data accurate as at July 2014. 2. Not all children on the roll are consented to take part in the programme. However consent rates are about 98% overall, with some

schools having 100% enrolment. 3. Consented children with sore throats self-present in classes to the Community Health Workers/Nurses who take the swabs. Children

with positive swabs are then followed up with antibiotic treatment. This work is accompanied by education and awareness raising at community, school, family/whanau and child levels.

4. The Ministry of Health contracts with Te Kaokao o Takapau (shortly to be transferred to Tuhoe Hauora), who subcontract Hinepukohurangi Trust to deliver programmes in two schools. The other providers are contracted by the BOPDHB.

42

5. The earliest programmes began in Opotiki over five years ago. Programmes have been progressively started since in Kawerau, then Murupara, Tuhoe rohe and Tauranga. The initial priority populations of Opotiki, Kawerau and Murupara were identified by Dr Belinda Loring in her report completed in 2008. School-based throat swabbing programmes are recommended under guidelines prepared by the New Zealand Heart Foundation and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand when the incidence of acute rheumatic fever exceeds 50/100,000 children aged 5-14. Census Area Units covering Opotiki, Murupara and Kawerau exceeded that threshold and programmes were accordingly developed. The threshold was also exceeded in the Whakatane West Census Area Unit, but this community was less discrete and self-contained, so a service was not prioritised at that time. However new services (see below) will address this gap shortly.

6. From Term 2 2015, rapid response clinics were established in further schools in Whakatane (Trident High School, Allandale Primary, James Street Primary and Whakatane Intermediate); and Edgecumbe (Edgecumbe Primary, Edgecumbe College).

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