The tuberculosis (TB) service is based at the chest clinic, King Edward VII Hospital.
The clinic is located centrally within the catchment area making it easily accessible. Specialist tuberculosis nurses provide a community-based service across East Berkshire.

The TB service assesses patients with suspected TB infection, initiates anti-TB treatment, monitors the treatment, and provides a TB screening programme for high-risk individuals. There is an on-site radiology department.

Our services include:

  • new entrant TB screening
  • active and latent TB management and support
  • DOT / VOT (directly observed TB therapy and video observed therapy)
  • TB contact tracing and screening using MTX, IGRA, CXR
  • education and advice for healthcare workers and general public
  • annual homeless screening
  • BCG vaccination
  • providing care in the community

About TB:

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that can affect any part of the body but is often found in the lungs and may be infectious.

Symptoms may include:

  • a productive cough that lasts for more than three weeks
  • coughing up blood
  • unexplained weight loss
  • night sweats
  • tiredness and fatigue
  • new lymph node swelling that have not gone away after a few weeks

TB is curable and treatment is essential and requires a combination of antibiotics.
 

More information

We welcome referrals from:

  • any practitioners suspecting TB (inpatient or outpatient) as a diagnosis
  • radiology, pathology and microbiology (suspecting TB based on imaging and laboratory samples)
  • occupational health following pre-employment screening
  • via GP, ERS, EPR, email and via telephone