Tuberculosis service

Herefordshire Tuberculosis (TB) service is part of the department of respiratory medicine and is based at Hereford County Hospital in Hereford. We provide a confidential and comprehensive specialist service to manage and support patients with active and latent Tuberculous Mycobacterial infections.

Herefordshire is a low incidence area for Tuberculosis. However, because of this diagnosis is often a challenge. It is common for patients to struggle with the diagnosis, the condition and the treatment. We offer help and support to patients through all of this.

Tuberculosis is a notifiable infection and we therefore work closely with UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)

The service is delivered by the Tuberculosis service team at:

• Hereford County Hospital, Stonebow Road, Hereford. HR1 2ER
• Patient’s homes
• Community Hospitals
• Other locations such as schools, colleges, care homes and work places where mass screening is required after a joint risk assessment is carried out with UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)

Hours:

• The admin team operates Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm.
• The clinical team predominantly operates 9am to 5pm each Tuesday and Thursday

Services provided include:

• Contact tracing and screening for close contacts of both human and Bovine Infection
• Early detection and treatment of active and latent TB through contact, immigrant and diagnostic screening
• Diagnostic investigations inclusive of assessment, chest x-ray, Mantoux (skin test), sputum and T-spot blood test
• Telephone advice for health professionals and the public

• Treatment initiation, monitoring and supervision for adherence and adverse drug reactions
• A comprehensive, tailor made daily video observed treatment programme
• Pre-treatment assessment, testing and counselling
• BCG vaccinations to selected pre-school and adult high risk groups
• Health promotion and education in order to raise awareness of TB

Referrals to this service can be made by:

• Self-referral
• GPs
• Local Authority services 
• Health care professionals (HCP) in the community or hospital setting

Useful links

TB alert 

Asthma + Lung UK - support for TB

NICE guidance 

Goverment - Tuberculosis: the green book, chapter 32