Luton Tuberculosis (TB) Nursing Service

Our Luton Tuberculosis (TB) Nursing Service provides a confidential and comprehensive specialist service to patients in order to reduce the spread of adverse health outcomes of TB and to control infection and disease within the local diverse community.

Services provided include:

• TB screening for contacts and immigrants 
• 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 
• treatment monitoring and supervision for adherence and adverse drug reactions  
• a comprehensive, tailor made directly observed treatment programme three times weekly 
• pre-treatment assessment, testing and counselling  
• BCG vaccinations to selected pre-school and adult high risk groups  
• outbreak prevention and control management, including mass screening  
• HIV counselling, referral and care  
• health promotion and education in order to raise awareness of TB

The service is delivered by the TB nurses at:

• Luton and Dunstable Hospital
• Luton Treatment Centre (chest clinic and wards)
• patient’s homes

Other locations such as schools, colleges, care homes and workplaces where mass screening is required after a joint risk assessment is carried out with Public Health England (PHE).