Some London boroughs have Tuberculosis (TB) levels as high as 113 per 100,000 people – significantly higher than countries such as Rwanda, Iraq and Guatemala.[3]
The report ‘Tackling TB in London’ by the London Assembly Health Committeelooks into the problems TB poses for the capital and how it can be addressed.
The report will be launched at University College London Hospitals’ Find & Treat Mobile X-Ray Unit (MXU) next to City Hall. The MXU screens almost 10,000 high-risk people every year, such as prisoners and homeless people, across all London boroughs. It is a highly cost- effective way to treat TB and the service is due to be expanded nationally.
Location: Find & Treat Mobile X-Ray Unit, Weavers Lane turning circle
Date and time: 9:30-10:30am, Tuesday 27 October
Address: Weavers Lane, More London, London, SE1 2AA
Spokespeople available for interview:
- Dr Onkar Sahota AM, Chair of the Health Committee
- Dr Al Story, Clinical Lead and Manager for Find & Treat, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- TB peer advocates (who have survived TB)
Closest Station: London Bridge
MEDIA ARE INVITED TO ATTEND
Notes to editors
- The report ‘Tackling TB in London’ will follow.
- Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. Most people who get TB have had prolonged exposure to an infectious person – usually someone in the same household. TB cannot be caught through everyday travel on public transport or through spitting.
- Public Health England (PHE), World Health Organization (WHO) estimates of Tuberculosis incidence by country, 2013.
- Find & Treat is a specialist outreach team that works to tackle TB among homeless people, drug or alcohol users, vulnerable migrants and people who have been in prison. The team includes former TB patients who work as peer advocates within the community.
- Location map of MXU at City Hall.
- London Assembly Health Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Lisa Lam on 020 7983 4067. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.