TB Framework for Scotland

The impact of the global public health threat of tuberculosis (TB) is very much felt in Scotland. The development of drug resistance due to inadequate treatment and higher prevalence of disease in certain countries (due to poor detection and high levels of HIV in the population) has a significant impact on Scotland.

While in the recent past the number of TB cases in Scotland has been in decline, epidemiological data from the last five years suggests that cases are becoming more complex e.g. patients who are destitute or have resistant TB. This presents a number of challenges for the NHS in Scotland.