- aged between 16 to 35 years
- born or spent six months in high TB incidence country
- entered the UK within the last five years
- not previously screened for TB in the UK
The aim of this service is to reduce the rate of TB in Southwark by improving the early detection and diagnosis of TB. We are doing this by supporting the national TB screening and treatment programme which involves identifying eligible patients and offering them screening and treatment.
From February 2019 to December 2019, we’ve sent 1,365 letters and 1,303 texts to north Southwark patients at all but three of our member practices. 111 patients from north Southwark have been screened for TB, 65 of these patients had their blood test with a nurse at our EPCS and 46 patients had their blood test at a local hospital clinic. 18 blood tests returned positive results and four blood tests returned borderline positive results (NHS England and Public Health England report a borderline positive result as positive).Patients with positive results have been referred to the local TB service for assessment and treatment.