TB (Tuberculosis) Service
OVERVIEW:
The TB Service is led by two Specialist Nurses for Tuberculosis and two part-time support workers. Their role involves working in collaboration with the respiratory consultant at WWL in the control and prevention of Tuberculosis and other Mycobacterial infections in the Wigan Borough.
- About Us
- To manage the treatment of all cases of Tuberculosis in a clinical setting
- To identify contacts of TB and arrange and initiate screening
- To monitor and support patients on anti-TB drugs, check compliance, monitor for side effects, give advice on treatment and act as a link between patient, family, physician and General Practitioner
- To offer TB screening to new entrants, advise on GP registration and identify those showing symptoms of TB infection
- To refer to the chest clinic as appropriate
- To provide BCG vaccination to those identified to be at high risk and over six months of age
- To offer support and specialist advice to patients, carers and health professionals
- To monitor and support patients who are receiving treatment for mycobacterial infections other than TB
- Accessing the Service
The TB Service will accept referrals from healthcare professionals, other services and self referrals from patients.
Outpatient clinics are held at the Thomas Linacre Centre in Wigan by appointment.
- Recommendations for Immunisation
The immunisation against Tuberculosis is by BCG Vaccination which can only be offered to those individuals who meet the following criteria and have no history of BCG Vaccination.
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Previously unvaccinated infants and children under six years of age who are born in a country outside the UK with a TB incidence of 40/100,000 or greater or with a parent or grandparent born in a country where the annual incidence of TB is 40/100,000 or greater or has a family history of TB in the last six years
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Previously unvaccinated individuals aged from six years to under sixteen years who have been documented to be tuberculin negative within the last three months and where born in a country outside the UK with a TB incidence of 40/100,000 or greater with a parent or grandparent born in a country where the annual incidence of TB is 40/100,000 or greater or has a family history of TB in the last six years
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Contacts of individuals with active TB who are under thirty six years of age, previously unvaccinated and tuberculin negative
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New entrants, under sixteen years of age who are previously unvaccinated, tuberculin negative and have arrived from a country with an annual TB incidence of 40/100,000 or greater. BCG is also recommended for previously unvaccinated tuberculin negative new entrants from sixteen years of age to under thirty six years from a sub-saharan African country or a country with a TB incidence of 500/100,000
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Travel – BCG is recommended for previously unvaccinated tuberculin negative individuals under the age of thirty five years who are going to live or work with local people for more than one month in a country where the annual incidence of TB is 40/100,000 or greater. This will be provided by the TB Service for individuals up to the age of sixteen. Individuals over the age of should be referred to Occupational Health.
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Occupational risk. Those at occupational risk of TB may be eligible for BCG. These groups should be referred to Occupational Health.
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People seeking vaccination for themselves or their children should be assessed for specific risk factors for tuberculosis. Those without risk factors should not be offered BCG vaccination but should be advised of the current policy.
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- Contact Details
For further information please contact:
Boston House
Frog Lane
Wigan
WN6 7LB
Telephone: 0300 707 1170