Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 17 October 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 19 October 2006. It was answered by Caroline Flint (Labour) on Thursday, 26 October 2006 on behalf of the Department of Health.

NICE

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS trusts have not implemented the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) published its clinical guideline on the diagnosis and management of tuberculosis (TB), and measures for its prevention and control, in March 2006. The Healthcare Commission, as part of its annual health check of NHS organisations, monitors the implementation of NICE guidelines. NHS trusts should take heed of the guideline when planning and procuring TB services to fit their local demography and incidence on TB in their area.The Department of Health has been developing a toolkit to help the NHS to implement the key points of the Chief Medical Officer's action plan ““Stopping Tuberculosis in England””, published in October 2004, through effective commissioning and delivery of services. The toolkit will recommend that TB services should always follow the NICE clinical guideline when diagnosing and treating patients with TB, including latent TB.

Secondary information