Health New Zealand

Rheumatic Fever Pharmacy-based Sore Throat Testing & Treatment

We are seeking providers throughout the Te Ikaroa | Central Region who are already delivering services within their district, and who can enable and support local pharmacies in Capital and Coast, Hutt Valley, Whanganui, MidCentral, and Hawke’s Bay to deliver a sore throat testing and treatment service.

This initiative aims to reduce rheumatic fever incidence by ensuring timely sore throat testing and antibiotic treatment for eligible whānau. The service will be free for those who meet the eligibility criteria, helping to improve accessibility and remove cost barriers for communities. Providers will play a key role in supporting pharmacies to deliver this service effectively and equitably.

If you care about improving access to timely sore throat testing and treatment for whānau – especially Māori and Pacific communities – and are passionate about reducing rheumatic fever, we welcome your proposal. We’re looking for providers who can work alongside pharmacies and local teams to make this service easy to access, culturally safe, and free for those who need it most.

This is a unique opportunity to help reduce rheumatic fever across the Central Region while improving equity for Māori and Pacific communities. By enabling pharmacies to deliver timely sore throat testing and treatment, you’ll make care more accessible and ease pressure on GPs.

Department/Business Unit: Comissioning