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Tuberculosis (TB) service
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About the service
Tuberculosis (TB) is a mycobacterial disease which can affect a number of different organisations in the body. The Barnsley and Wakefield TB service provides screening, advice and support to people in the Barnsley and Wakefield District being treated for TB and their family members.
The service runs a weekly clinic for TB screening and supports patients that are on treatment for TB through visitation, dietary advice, medication advice and specific public health advice on treatment and management.
The Barnsley and Wakefield TB service aims to provide access to high quality, easily accessible TB control and prevention.
Why would someone choose the service?
- Friendly and knowledgeable staff
- We provide advice and information in relation to the signs and symptoms of active TB disease
- We provide advice and information on the process of contact tracing
- We provide advice and information for BCG vaccination
Staff you may meet
- There are many people who work behind the scenes to keep services running and you may meet them in hospital or community settings. They include porters, cleaners, plumbers, electricians, decorators receptionists and secretaries who all work to make sure healthcare settings are kept clean, tidy and safe.
- Nurses who choose to specialise in the mental health branch of nursing work with GPs, psychiatrists, psychologists, and others, to help care for patients. Increasingly, care is given in the community, with mental health nurses visiting patients and their families at home, in residential centres, in prisons or in specialist clinics or units.
- Receptionists are the first link for many patients and visitors. They often work on their own or with one or two other receptionists, greeting patients as they arrive and check them in. They might also collect patient notes and ensure that these vital records go to the right healthcare professional. In a clinic, they may make appointments and arrange patient transport.
Why a professional should choose the service
- All new patients are seen by a specialist nurse (who is TB trained) within 7 working days. A high percentage of our referrals are seen the same week of the referral
- CQUIN targets are consistently met
- Members of the team have been recognised for the quality of their work at a national level
- Monthly audits are completed which demonstrate the effectiveness of the service by collating both number and demographic information
Support offered
- New entrant screening
- Home visits
- Advice and support on TB treatment, or the signs and symptoms of TB
- Screening for family members and relations
- Referrals to other services including hospitals or other TB services (if out of area)
Outcomes
- High percentage of completion of treatment for Active TB / Latent TB infection
- Good outcome in relation to contact screening, incident / outbreak management
- Effective new entrant screening
Referrals accepted from:
GP staff, GPs, Hospital staff, Other NHS services
Referrals also accepted from:
Referrals also accepted from other TB services.
Referral criteria:
- Individual’s who are on TB treatment
- Individuals that have been in contact with someone that has TB
- A new entrant to the Barnsley or Wakefield area