The maternity unit will make the vital contribution to research aimed at combating rheumatic heart disease.

While generally rare, RHD occurs when the heart is permanently damaged following a case of acute rheumatic fever. 

The National Health and Medical Research Council-funded RHD study is one of the studies being undertaken by the Australasian Maternity Outcomes Surveillance System. 

The project looks at serious complications in pregnancy across nearly 300 sites in Australia and New Zealand.

RHD in Pregnancy Study project co-ordinator Geraldine Vaughan said the data provided by the Mount Isa Hospital maternity unit was invaluable to the project.

“It’s particularly rich and relevant data both because of the commitment of staff to collecting good data and also because of the high indigenous population of the North West region,’’ Ms Vaughan said.

“The data we have confirms that RHD is much more prevalent in remote and regional Australia among indigenous women. 

‘‘As a result, the findings of this study when it is completed will be of major benefit to the North West. 

‘‘An important message about RHD in pregnancy is the importance of early recognition and treatment to optimise good outcomes for mum and bub.

“I cannot thank the heroes of the Mount Isa Hospital maternity unit enough for their help with this study project.

“I would like particularly to thank Dr Chris King, Dr Elena Kreimer, maternity nurse unit manager Rebecca Sibbick, midwife Di Jeans, Aboriginal health workers Diane Owens and Rhonda Tim and rheumatic heart disease clinical nurse consultant Natalie Thomas for working with our team to maximise good outcomes for the North West’s indigenous population.

“A serious condition such as RHD during pregnancy can be devastating. Our project helps to develop a better understanding of the incidence, risk factors, management and outcomes of this normally rare condition.’’

Rheumatic heart disease clinical nurse consultant Natalie Thomas works closely with the Mount Isa Hospital maternity unit, the Australasian Maternity Outcomes Surveillance System and patients diagnosed with RHD in the North West. 

“Our cardiac team currently is helping about 200 patients of all ages across the North West with either RHD or acute rheumatic fever,” Ms Thomas said.

“We have worked with four-year-old patients and we have worked with elders. We see patients in clinic, in regional centres and sometimes in their homes.

“It is important for patients to receive early intervention and regular treatment for these conditions which can prevent long-term damage.

“Once we are alerted to new patients, our team schedules ongoing treatments, echocardiography tests and specialist reviews.

“My role is very diverse but it is rewarding to see the increasing numbers of patients in the North West taking an active role in ensuring they receive their regular treatment and review.’’

• For more information on rheumatic heart disease  in pregnancy, community members can contact the Mount Isa Hospital maternity unit or Natalie Thomas on 47444444.