WA Register of Developmental Anomalies (WARDA)
On January 7, 2011 the Health (Western Australian Register of Developmental Anomalies) Regulations 2010 (external site) came into effect. These regulations make reporting of developmental anomalies mandatory.
The decision to become statutory was reached by consensus, after consultation with health professionals, consumers and the community. It brings the Register in line with other important health information collections in WA, such as the WA Midwives Notification of Birth System and the WA Cancer Registry.
In the regulations, a developmental anomaly is described as a condition of health, to which Part IXA of the Health Act 1911 applies. Therefore, for the purposes of the Regulations, a developmental anomaly is defined as:
- Cerebral palsy or
- A structural or functional anomaly present at conception or occurs before the end of pregnancy and is diagnosed during pregnancy or after stillbirth or termination of pregnancy, or after live birth, but before six years of age.
View the inclusion list (PDF) of developmental anomalies that WARDA keeps records for and the exclusion list (PDF).
How to notify
WARDA obtains information for its cases from a variety of sources, some of which are actively sourced. Diagnosing doctors and hospital CEOs need to ensure that WARDA is notified of developmental anomalies and that this is completed within six months of making a diagnosis.
There are two main ways to notify WARDA of a diagnosis:
- Use the original Notification Cards for cerebral palsy and birth defects located in your organisation OR
- Completing the WARDA Electronic Notification Card for:
Additional information regarding cerebral palsy can be submitted using the Cerebral Palsy Description Form (PDF).
All forms will need to be printed and posted to WARDA.
In the future, diagnosing doctors will be able to inform WARDA of diagnoses using electronic notification.
WARDA staff may contact you to ask you to provide further information.