posted 7 October, 2024

Tuberculosis (TB)

About this service

Tuberculosis (TB) is a curable infection. We aim to detect and treat TB as soon as possible, to support patients back to full health and prevent onward transmission.

We provide testing and treatment for TB and treat people for other mycobacterial infections. Based at North Manchester General Hospital as part of the regional infectious diseases unit, we accept referrals from across the region of complex TB. We are a centre for management of multi-drug resistant TB.

A specialist TB service covers North Manchester, Oldham, Bury and Rochdale, sitting within the  Infectious Disease unit at North Manchester General Hospital, a recognised MDR (multi-drug resistant) TB treatment centre for Greater Manchester.  The service delivers care for adults and children

What we do

  • Consultant-led care for people with TB, in clinics at NMGH, Oldham and Rochdale. Rarely, people with TB need to be admitted to the hospital , and this is at NMGH infection wards, J3 and J4.
  • Weekly nurse led clinic at NNGH and Oldham Hospital and every two weeks at Fairfield Hospital and Rochdale infirmary.  We support patients with active TB taking curative treatment by providing ongoing treatment, investigations, management of side effects and general education and wellbeing. We initiate treatment for latent TB and support people through their treatment. We also support the consultant-led clinics at Oldham and Rochdale.
  • Monthly dedicated Paediatric TB Clinic at Oldham Hospital – supporting the Infectious Disease Consultant and providing education and support to families.
  • Weekly screening clinic at NMGH and Oldham Hospital and twice weekly at Fairfield Hospital and Rochdale Infirmary. We provide screening for adults and children who are family members of people with TB, new entrants, occupational health and travel.
  • BCG vaccine currently provided at dedicated BCG clinic at NMGH and at Oldham Hospital and Rochdale infirmary.
  • We visit our patients at home as needed, provide directly observed or video observed treatment and support people to complete their curative treatment.
  • We work closely with local Public Health authorities and lead on any large screening required at a local level.
  • We provided telephone advice for other health professionals
  • We deliver health promotion and TB awareness to other health professionals, as required, and to other services who may have contact with at risk groups of individuals.
  • We provide routine HIV and diabetes testing, as these are important conditions to manage if they are present alongside TB.

Meet the team

The TB nursing team works closely with all consultants, in particular the TB lead consultant Dr Alec Bonington.

Team Leaders

  • Stacey Farrow
  • Helen Ogden

TB team

  • Karen Hobson
  • Katie Baker
  • Georgina O’Keefe

Office hours

8:30 – 17:00 Monday to Friday

Patients and staff  can contact the Infectious Diseases Unit evenings, weekends or Bank holidays 0161 720 2538 or 0160 7202540