Website of the Department of Health

Preface

Over the past century we have made enormous progress in combating the infectious diseases which once preyed upon our people. We have achieved this through better health care, better preventative measures and generally higher standards of living.

But now one such disease - tuberculosis - is on the march again. The Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, has rightly identified it as a new threat which needs concerted action to deal with it.

His plan sets out clear steps which the Government, our health services and local communities need to take to reverse the rise in TB.

He also recognises this is a global problem. He and I are committed to working with our international partners - through the European Union and the World Health Organization - to do all we can to help fight this disease wherever it rears its head.

I am extremely grateful to Sir Liam for this valuable report. I am committed to doing whatever I can to ensure its recommendations become reality.John Reid
Secretary of State for Health

• Download Stopping Tuberculosis in England: An action plan from the Chief Medical Officer (PDF, 239K)
• Tuberculosis web pages