The trust’s TB Service works with patients who have Tuberculosis, usually referred to as TB, a bacterial infection that spreads through the air in small droplets when someone coughs, sneezes or speaks.
Dr Shahank Sharma, the trust’s TB Lead Consultant, explains more about the role of the service: “The team works to diagnose patients and support them through their treatment as well as completing statutory notifications and working closely with UKHSA and HPTs to manage complex cases and exposure incidents. The team is also responsible for contact tracing and helping with any language barriers.
“We also offer risk assessed BCG vaccinations for children aged 1-16 and help monitor patients who are on treatment for Nontuberculous mycobacterial infections.”
TB remains an epidemic in much of the world causing the deaths of nearly 1.5 million people each year, largely in developing countries. However, the number of TB cases in England are increasing. ASPH’s TB service sees up to thirty patients a week who have TB or latent TB.
Despite TB being a serious condition, it can often be cured with a course of antibiotics, especially if caught early. Kerrie Campbell, Lead TB Nurse Specialist, explains: “This is a very rewarding team to work in. I don’t think people always realise that TB is curable! Some patients have extensive disease and are very unwell when they first present to us. Helping them through the treatment and seeing the end result is a very positive experience. We often also work with patients’ families and building relationships with the family unit is also very rewarding.”
Kerrie added: “We are busy streamlining our service, and over the next year we are hoping to continue to build working relationships with our local prisons, homeless shelters and GP surgeries.”
Meet the team
- Dr Shahank Sharma - TB Lead Consultant
- Dr Monica Nordstrom - Associate Respiratory Specialist
- Kerrie Campbell - Lead TB Nurse Specialist
- Janice Groth - TB Nurse Specialist
- Diplata Prajapati - Clinical Office Administrator
