The department recognises the public health importance of tuberculosis (TB) and is currently funding TB Alert, the United Kingdom's

national TB charity, to raise awareness among general practitioners and other primary care professionals. TB Alert is also developing an online learning module in collaboration with the Royal College of General Practitioners and a training pack for TB nurses to use in running training sessions with primary care professionals.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) plays a significant role in advising medical practitioners about trends in TB in the population. They are involved in raising awareness through the National Knowledge Service for TB. This was set up to provide information that would be directly relevant to people who need to be aware of, and take action about, treatment, prevention and management of TB.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has published clinical and public health guidance to support the National Health Service in commissioning and providing effective services to prevent, diagnose and treat TB, including in relation to raising awareness. This guidance is promoted both by the HPA and TB Alert as part of raising awareness. The Health and Social Care Act 2012 will require clinical commissioning groups to act with a view to securing continuous improvement in the quality of services provided to individuals in relation to the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of illness, including TB.

The department recognises the public health importance of tuberculosis (TB) and is currently funding TB Alert, the United Kingdom's

national TB charity, to raise awareness among general practitioners and other primary care professionals. TB Alert is also developing an online learning module in collaboration with the Royal College of General Practitioners and a training pack for TB nurses to use in running training sessions with primary care professionals.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) plays a significant role in advising medical practitioners about trends in TB in the population. They are involved in raising awareness through the National Knowledge Service for TB. This was set up to provide information that would be directly relevant to people who need to be aware of, and take action about, treatment, prevention and management of TB.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has published clinical and public health guidance to support the National Health Service in commissioning and providing effective services to prevent, diagnose and treat TB, including in relation to raising awareness. This guidance is promoted both by the HPA and TB Alert as part of raising awareness. The Health and Social Care Act 2012 will require clinical commissioning groups to act with a view to securing continuous improvement in the quality of services provided to individuals in relation to the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of illness, including TB.

Information on numbers screened positive by country of origin is not available in the format requested. However, information on the number of United Kingdom visa applicants screened for tuberculosis (TB) is shown in the following table.

Source: International Organisation for Migration

In relation to those screened at our ports, currently on entry screening for TB is undertaken at Heathrow Airport by chest X-ray. Screening stopped at Gatwick Airport because numbers screened were very low. As a chest X-ray is not considered sufficient to make a definitive diagnosis of TB, any entrant who is suspected of having TB is referred to a local chest clinic or hospital at their intended destination in the UK.

The department liaises with the Department for International Development (DfID) on World Health Organisation reports, resolutions and guidance on global TB. DfID's support to the product development of new vaccines, diagnostics and treatment will have a direct benefit to control TB in the UK.

The Home Office is responsible for managing pre-entry screening for TB, working closely with the Health Protection Agency to providing medical and scientific input. The Home Office requires screening providers to provide treatment referral letters, results of drug susceptibility testing as well as to comply with any reporting on TB strategies in these countries.

The Cluster Director of Public Health for Birmingham and Solihull has responded to the coroner's letter of 6 August, stating that the recommendations have been implemented, that they are monitored through their contracting arrangements with National Health Service providers and reported to the Cluster Clinical Quality Group; and that she is assured that the recommendations are on track. There is a strong focus in the report on enhanced general practitioner (GP) knowledge and awareness, with provision for training and awareness sessions.

The Health Protection Agency has also responded to the coroner's letter of 6 August, highlighting a number of strategic initiatives, which include TB cohort review meetings and action to raise the knowledge and awareness of GPs, other health care workers and people in the most affected communities.

The department recognises the public health importance of tuberculosis (TB) and is currently funding TB Alert, to raise awareness of TB amongst general practitioners and other primary care professionals. TB Alert is developing an online learning module in collaboration with the Royal College of General Practitioners and a training pack for TB nurses to use in running training sessions with primary care professionals.

The department intends to respond to the coroner's letter shortly.