NEWS UPDATE APRIL 2008 - TB Clinical Advice Network and MDT Project
The Department of Health has provided funds to the Society so that work can be undertaken to ensure that the TB Action Plan is implemented. We are currently undertaking a mapping exercise and recruiting pilot centres. See full details of this new project here.
On 26 March 2008, to mark World TB Day, BTS presented the results of a survey of PCTs which was done in collaboration with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Global TB. This report shows that PCTs are systematically failing to implement the Government’s TB Action Plan at a time when 70% of PCTs predict that the number of TB cases in their region is set to rise. The Report contains a number of recommendations for follow-up and action. There are three key areas where the APPG and BTS would like to see action as a matter of priority:
- There should be a properly-funded national TB awareness campaign, tailored to local circumstances, aimed at healthcare professionals as well as the general public.
- PCTs must ensure that there is a clearly identified individual within their organisation who is charged with developing strategies for service provision for TB and ensuring that provision of such services meets, at the minimum, the TB Guidelines for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.
- PCTs should specifically identify and commission TB services, in accordance with the guidance set out in the DH Commissioning Toolkit.
Download the report here
Download the press release here
Link to BBC coverage of APPG/BTS survey here
2007 BTS Survey of Tuberculosis Leads
Details of the 2007 survey of TB leads are available to download:
BTS, TB Alert and BLF press release available here
2007 Survey summary available here
2007 Full Survey Information available here