Serial surveys of the tuberculosis nursing and support provision in the high incidence districts of England and Wales.

Postal surveys were carried out in 1998 and 2001 in the 43 high incidence TB districts of England and Wales (defined as an incidence of 15/100,000 per annum or greater). The provision of TB nursing and support staff was then compared with that recommended by the Joint Tuberculosis Committee for the numbers of TB notifications in 1997 and 2000 in the same areas. Forty-two districts replied in 1998, and all 43 replied in 2001. In 1998 only six out of the 22 high incidence areas outside Greater London met the minimum criteria for both nursing and clerical provision; none in Greater London did so. In 2001 only five out of 22 high incidence areas outside and one out of 21 inside Greater London met both criteria. The provision of nursing and clerical support for tuberculosis falls below minimum criteria in a substantial majority of high incidence areas and is not improving. Unless addressed, continuing under-provision of resources could itself contribute to a further rise in cases of tuberculosis.