Vol. 423 No. 6
83 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Health if he will outline his views on the increase in the numbers of reported cases of tuberculosis; if he has satisfied himself that all general practitioners notify cases of TB to the health board directors; and if the resources available are adequate for health board personnel to carry out sufficient contact tracing which is needed to stop this deadly disease from spreading.
There is a statutory requirement on all General Practitioners to notify their local Director of Community Care/Medical Officer of Health (DCC/MOH) of all cases of Tuberculosis. The DCC/MOHs in turn notify my Department on a weekly basis of all cases reported to them. The DCC/MOHs take the action they consider necessary in the interest of Public Health including contact tracing and prophylactic treatment.
I have recently established a working party under the chairmanship of the chief Medical Officer of my Department to examine all aspects of TB including notification, surveillance, treatment and contact tracing procedures.
The main aim of the working party will be to ensure that there is an appropriate framework to deal with all problems associated with TB and I look forward to a comprehensive and thorough report which will outline the future development of my Department's policy in relation to TB.
