Journal of Public Health (United Kingdom)
Volume 39, Issue 2, 2017, Pages 387-394

An audit of tuberculosis health services in prisons and immigration removal centres (Article) (Open Access)

Mehay A.* , Raj T. , Altass L. , Newton A. , O'Moore E. , Railton C. , Tan H. , Story A. , Frater A.
  • a School of Law, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham Hill, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, United Kingdom
  • b Public Health England (London Region), 4th Floor, Southside, 105, Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QT, United Kingdom
  • c NHS England and Public Health England, PHE Colindale, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ, United Kingdom
  • d Wellington House, 135-155 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8UG, United Kingdom
  • e Public Health England, Premier House, 60 Caversham Road, Reading, RG1 7EB, United Kingdom
  • f Public Health England, FERA, Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ, United Kingdom
  • g NHS England (London Region), Southside, 105, Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QT, United Kingdom
  • h University College Hospital, 235 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BU, United Kingdom
  • i School of Law, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham Hill, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, United Kingdom

Abstract

Background Tuberculosis (TB) is the second leading cause of death worldwide due to a single infectious agent. Rates of active TB in places of prescribed detention (PPD), which include Prisons, Young Offender Institutions and Immigration Removal Centres, are high compared with the general population. PPD therefore present an opportunity to develop targeted health programmes for TB control. This audit aims to assess current service provisions and identify barriers to achieving best practice standards in PPD across London. Methods Twelve healthcare teams within PPD commissioned by NHS England (London Region) were included in the audit. Services were evaluated against the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence standards for TB best practice. Results None of the health providers with a digital X-ray machine were conducting active case finding in new prisoners and no health providers routinely conduct Latent TB infection testing and preventative treatment. Barriers to implementing standards include the lack of staff skills and staff skills mix, structural and technical barriers, and demands of custodial and health services. Conclusions This audit restates the importance of national public health TB strategies to consider healthcare provisions across PPD. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Faculty of Public Health. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

management and policy Health services Prisons

Index Keywords

London human middle aged prisoner statistics and numerical data Prisoners health service Aged Humans tuberculostatic agent Antitubercular Agents male England female Aged, 80 and over tuberculosis very elderly health services prison Prisons adult migration Emigration and Immigration Delivery of Health Care health care delivery
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85021347050&doi=10.1093%2fpubmed%2ffdw033&partnerID=40&md5=fac7c1a30703ed0e6b7e72573f6b8da3
DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdw033
ISSN: 17413842
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English