At Burton we check post employment for staff with no documented proof - staff are usually seen within the first week of starting. When issuing fitness letters we give TB proviso saying to avoid contact with known TB patients. Work experience students in clinical areas we do not sign fit until we have checked TB status.
Shirley
-----Original Message-----
From: Saghir Siraj [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 05 December 2003 12:02
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: BCG DEBATE
To change the subject a little could I ask what are peoples opinions on TB and health clearance for the NHS health care worker. At the moment we clear staff to start work and then check their TB status after they have started. This is due to the practicalities of checking scars pre-employment. The only exception is those staff coming from countries with high incidence of TB.
The issues I am looking at are as follows:
1 Should all clinical staff be checked for scar or heaf test(if no scar) pre-employment. 2 Are TB symptom questions on the pre-employment questionnaire adequate for clearance if no abnormalities stated. 3 Is it or should it be compulsory for all new staff to physically attend the OH for scar check if they do not have documentary proof.
Unlike Hep B/C status for EPIP workers which is unambiguous, I find that TB clearance is difficult to nail down and do not find the DOH document "HEALTH CLEARANCE FOR SERIUS COMMUNICABLE DISEASES" althogether clear, it states that "ALL NEW ENTRANTS TO THE NHS" should be checked for TB status. I would be interested to know what happens in other departments.
All opinions welcome.
Saghir
-----Original Message-----
From: Baldwin Chris (RFF) Occupational Health Nurse Advisor
[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 05 December 2003 10:48
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: BCG DEBATE
Good morning everyone,
thank you all for your fascinating responses and comments etc re this
original question.
As a newish subscriber and also OH degree student, I seem to have set
everyone off with discussion and debate. The original question was posed as
a result of a colleague in another part of the country expressing some
concern re vaccination and Heaf testing partly due to confidence in the
correct technique even with training and also Heaf testing, subsequent BCG's
etc taking into account past history, proof of vaccination, guidelines etc
and a toe was placed in the water to gain some insight into fellow OH
professionals feelings and practice also on this issue. This forum in terms
of information gathering and learning resources is priceless and thank you
all for your sharing of knowledge and experience and details of same have
been passed on to my fellow class mates. May I come out from under the table
now please?
Best wishes to you all for Christmas
Chris Baldwin
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