United Kingdom TB Screening (BNO)
Making your appointment
For appointments, please call 020 7486 7821 (Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 4.30pm) or email bookings@visamedicals.co.uk
Please have the following information ready when you call us:
- Appointment dates you prefer.
- Full name and date of birth of all applicants requiring a medical exam.
- Contact phone number or email.
Please note that where applicants are family members, all the family members are to be screened together. Children under 17 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or other legally responsible adult.
What you should bring to your appointment
- Valid original passport (exceptionally, an alternative photographic document can be accepted with prior approval by the immigration authority).
- 1 Passport sized photo.
- Any documents or treatment records relating to a past history of TB infection and treatment.
What to expect during your medical examination
The purpose of the UK immigration screening medical is to detect the suspected presence of active pulmonary TB in those who are applying to stay in the UK for more than 6 months from countries with a high incidence of Tuberculosis.
The process involves:
Adults
Screening of adults will include all of the following:
- A symptom screen.
- Any history of recent contact with a case of active pulmonary TB (shared the same enclosed air space or household or other enclosed environment for a prolonged period for days or weeks).
- A physical examination.
- Chest X-ray.
Where the CXR is suggestive of either active or old pulmonary TB, further laboratory testing for pulmonary TB will be required. This will have to be conducted within 7 days of having the CXR.
Pregnant women
Screening of pregnant women will include all of the following:
- A symptom screen.
- Any history of contact in the previous year with a case of active pulmonary TB (shared the same enclosed air space or household or other enclosed environment for a prolonged period for days or weeks).
- A physical examination.
- A CXR in the second or third trimester if the applicant consents.
During pregnancy there is a small risk of radiation to the unborn baby, particularly in the first trimester. It is not recommended to take CXRs during the first trimester. A pregnant woman has 3 options:
- Postpone the CXR (and TB clearance) until after delivery.
- Opt for TB clearance based on negative cultures from 3 appropriately taken sputum samples.
- Continue with the CXR with double shielding in the second and third trimester.
Where the CXR is suggestive of either active or old pulmonary TB, further laboratory testing for pulmonary TB will be required. This will have to be conducted within 7 days of having the CXR.
If you had a normal CXR taken at a UK approved screening clinic for UK TB screening purposes within the last 3 months, then this previous CXR may be used for TB clearance purposes, providing that you do not have signs or symptoms of TB and have not been in close contact to any TB case in the meantime. No CXR taken in an un-approved clinic will be accepted, nor any other screening test.
Children under 11 years old
Screening of children will include all of the following:
- A symptom screen (cough, haemoptysis, weight loss, night sweats, fever, history of previous TB).
- Any history of contact within the previous year with a case of active pulmonary TB (shared the same enclosed air space or household or other enclosed environment for a prolonged period for days or weeks).
- A physical examination.
Where a child has symptoms or signs of active pulmonary TB, or a history of previous TB, or a history of recent contact with a case of active pulmonary TB, the child may be required to have EITHER a CXR OR 3 sputum samples for laboratory examination.
Clearance certificate
Where there is no suspicion that active pulmonary TB is present, the Panel Physician may certify clearance by issuing a Clearance Certificate (as specified by the immigration authority).
No Certificate will be issued if there is any suspicion of active pulmonary TB.
Price list
As of June 1st, 2020 the following charges will apply:
| Adults (medical, chest X-ray) Age 11 years and above | £175 |
| Children aged 10 years old and under | £75 |
| Bacteriological examination of sputum X 3 (for TB) | £115 |