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Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, also known as 'the tubercle bacillus'. TB commonly affects the lungs, but can reach any part of the body. It is usually spread by the coughs or sneezes of an infected person, but is not highly contagious. Prolonged close contact with a person with TB--for example, living in the same household--is usually necessary for infection to be passed on. It may take many years before someone infected with TB develops the full disease. TB worldwide is a massive problem. In England cases fell progressively until the mid-1980s but started to rise again in the early 1990s. In 2006, there were 8497 cases of TB reported in the UK (14.0 per 100,000) and the London region accounted for 40% of cases (44.8 per 100,000). TB is curable with a course of special antibiotics taken for at least 6 months. The most important part of controlling TB is identifying and treating those who already have the disease, to shorten their infection and to stop it being passed on to others.

Supply of TB drugs to patients – changes to regulations and advice on implementation

Published: 3 September 2007

The NHS (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) Regulations 2000 (the Charges Regulations) have now been amended to allow medication for the treatment of tuberculosis to be provided free of charge in TB clinics or via a patient group direction from 1 September 2007.

Supply of TB drugs to patients changes to regulations and advice on implementation

Tuberculosis prevention and treatment: a toolkit for planning, commissioning and delivering high-quality services in England

Published: 15 June 2007

In order to assist the NHS with implementing the TB action plan, Stopping Tuberculosis in England, we are publishing a toolkit to enable PCT commissioners plan and commission high-quality TB services for their local population, and monitor their delivery. It sets out a framework for assessing local needs, and identifying how services can be best provided to meet those needs. It also contains models of best practice aimed at TB service providers, including laboratories and public health teams.

BCG vaccine SSI:Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about BCG vaccine, including scenarios where the vaccine has been out of cold chain conditions.

BCG vaccine SSI: Frequently asked questions

Changes to the BCG vaccination programme in England

On 6 July 2005, a letter from the Chief Medical Officer, Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Pharmaceutical Officer (PL/CMO/2005/3) detailed changes in national BCG vaccination policy. This operational note provides further information and advice to help PCTs and local BCG services to adapt to these policy changes. (Gateway reference 5360).

Operational Note: Changes to the BCG Vaccination Programme

Supplies of tuberculin PPD for HEAF and Mantoux testing

Published: 19/07/2005

This information will be required by all relevant professionals (e.g. Immunisation Coordinators, Consultants in Communicable Disease Control, hospital pharmacists, chest clinics, chest physicians, TB nurse specialists) involved in tuberculin skin testing for screening or diagnostic purposes. (Gateway reference 5405).

Supplies of tuberculin PPD for HEAF and Mantoux testing

Stopping Tuberculosis in England

As proposed in his infectious disease strategy, Getting Ahead of the Curve, the Chief Medical Officer published a TB action plan, Stopping Tuberculosis in England on 7 October 2004. The immediate aims of the action plan are to reduce the risk of new infections, provide high quality treatment and care for people with TB and to maintain low levels of drug resistance. The long-term goal is to reduce and ultimately eliminate TB in this country. The action plan sets out clear steps to be taken by the NHS, wider Government and health communities to tackle TB.