Doctor calls for funds to halt capital's TB epidemic

A lung specialist today called for huge investment to bring the growing TB epidemic under control in London.

More than 100 nurses and 40 more specialist doctors are needed, warns Dr John Moore-Gillon of the British Thoracic Society.

Dr Moore-Gillon said investment was needed on the scale of New York 10 years ago when $1billion was pumped in to tackle the problem.

He also called for a TB target so everyone diagnosed is treated quickly and all patients are followed up until they finish their treatment.

London has 40 per cent of the 6,000 cases a year in Britain and in some places rates are as high as the Third World while only ?8 million is spent on tackling TB in the capital.

Dr Moore-Gillon said: "We are still using the same diagnostic test we had 70 years ago and have had no new drugs for 40 years."

He said a 20 to 30 per cent increase in TB nurses was needed so those diagnosed completed their treatment.