Public Health Wales has provided the Council with the following update in regard to the Llwynhendy TB community screening exercise carried out earlier this month.
The update provides:
- Details on the findings of Phase 2 of the screening exercise
- A reminder of the findings of Phase 1 of the screening exercise
- The follow-up arrangements in place for patient groups involved in Phase 2 of the exercise
- Next steps
- Messages to share with individuals in the community
If you require any further information, please contact Sarah Jones in the Public Health Wales Communications Team in the first instance [email protected]
Phase 2 Findings
- No cases of active TB disease have been identified through Phase 2 of the screening exercise.
- 128 cases of latent TB infection have been identified through Phase 2 of the screening exercise
- Results were inconclusive in 92 individuals and they will be recalled for a repeat blood test.
- Phase 2 of the screening exercise took place at a dedicated facility set up at Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli between Monday 2 September and Friday 13 September 2019.
- Phase 2 screening took place by invitation only for individuals who were unable to be screened or only received partial screening due to the high demand during the phase 1 drop-in screening sessions held in the Llwynhendy area in June.
- Nearly 800 individuals attended for screening over the ten days.
Phase 1 Findings
- No cases of active TB disease were identified through Phase 1 of the screening exercise.
- 76 cases of latent TB infections were identified through Phase 1 of the screening exercise
- Screening was deferred until Phase 2 for approximately 600 individuals.
- Fifty three individuals were invited for repeat testing during Phase 2 after receiving inconclusive results.
- Phase 1 of the screening exercise took place in June 2019. Screening was carried out over three days at three locations in the Llwynhendy area.
- Over 1500 individuals attended for screening over the three days.
Follow-up arrangements for Phase 2 patients
- Hywel Dda University Health Board has written to individuals that attended Phase 2 of the screening exercise with their results.
- The 128 individuals identified as having latent TB infection will be sent an outpatient appointment to discuss treatment options.
- The 92 individuals identified as having inconclusive results will be recalled for a repeat blood test.
- Public Health Wales and Hywel Dda University Health Board are currently working to identify individuals who were sent an invitation to be screened, either during Phase 1 or Phase 2 of the screening exercise, but did not attend screening.
Next steps
Public Health Wales and Hywel Dda University Health Board are currently reviewing the data gathered through both phases of the screening exercise to determine if additional action is required to bring the outbreak under control. A full update on this will be provided in due course.
Messages to share with community
- Patients who have received a letter from Hywel Dda UHB in relation to their results should follow the instructions in that letter.
- Individuals identified as having latent TB infection will be sent an outpatient appointment to discuss treatment options in due course.
- Individuals identified as having inconclusive results will be recalled for a repeat blood test in due course.
- Individuals who have received their results and would like to speak to a Specialist Nurse can contact the Helpline:
Helpline number: 01267 283145
Monday to Friday (10:00hrs – 12:00hrs and 15:00hrs – 17:00hrs)
Thursday 26 September to Wednesday 2 October 2019, after which time it will be closed.
The Helpline will be available from Wednesday 25 September to Saturday 5 October 2019, after which time it will be closed.
- Individuals who have been screened but have not received their results should ensure that the address with which they are registered with a GP is current.
- Information Governance prevents Public Health Wales providing results to patients by phone so patients should not contact Public Health Wales directly for their results.
