IS TUBERCULOSIS TAKEN SERIOUSLY IN THE UNITED-KINGDOM

Tuberculosis has been the subject of much concern in recent years. Not ifications have increased, inadequacies in surveillance revealed, and policies for BCG immunisation and screening of immigrants questioned. Until recently the disease was given low priority in the United Kingdo m. There is no overall strategic framework for tackling tuberculosis, and fears have been expressed about the future of local tuberculosis c ontrol programmes in the new market economy of the NHS. An action plan for tuberculosis within the context of a national programme is urgent ly required. Only then will a major impact on the incidence of the dis ease be seen.