The latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) screening project runs from July 2017 to March 2018, and aims to reduce the prevalence of active tuberculosis in Barking and Dagenham by testing 600 eligible patients from local GP registered populations.
Practices are key to its successful delivery, as the project aims to identify those eligible for LTBI screening from GP registered populations.
The latest NHS England figures show that levels of TB in Barking and Dagenham are above the London rate, and the majority of patients are born abroad. Consequently, the LTBI screening project is limited to those who meet the following eligibility criteria:
This process concentrates on decreasing and eliminating future active TB cases in England and is both evidence based and cost-effective. Approximately 10% of those with LTBI will go on to develop active TB, often within five years of TB exposure if left untreated, with a subsequent increase in health and social needs.
Initially the focus was on new patient registrations, but since the relaunch of this project locally in July 2017, the scope has been extended so that LTBI testing and treatment will be offered to both new and existing patients who meet the eligibility criteria.
A constructive and trusting relationship between GPs and migrant populations is essential to its success, especially as those with LTBI will be unaware of their condition, as they remain free of symptoms. A Public Health England leaflet provides more information for patients (available in English and 11 other languages).
These agreeing to be screened as part of this project and meeting all the above criteria must be referred for an IGRA blood test using the phlebotomy request form specific to this project, at the identified testing site: Barking Community Hospital, Upney Lane, Barking, Essex IG11 9LX (Monday-Friday, 7am till 3pm).
All treatment for those screened as positive for LTBI will be undertaken by the BHRUT Respiratory Service, with an expectation for GP practices to offer support, if required, throughout the process.
Participating GP practices have already signed-up to this local project, and are encouraged to use retrospective patient searches to identify eligible registrants and then actively encourage these to be screened.
Please refer to the revised LTBI project service specification for information, or contact Trudy Reeve for further support.
740