OXFORD, United Kingdom and MARLBOROUGH, Mass., March 24, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Oxford Immunotec Global PLC (Nasdaq:OXFD), a global, commercial-stage diagnostics company focused on developing and commercializing proprietary tests for the management of immune-regulated conditions, today announced its support of the recipient of the 2015 Sir John Crofton Prize for TB Nursing.
The Sir John Crofton Prize for TB Nursing has been established by TB Alert and TB Action Group to identify and acknowledge exceptional TB nursing. The prize celebrates outstanding individuals or teams who have demonstrated innovation and excellence during the last two years through their advocacy and service initiatives. The recipient of the prize has shown exemplary care, dedication and leadership in clinical care, social support and public health. The prize is named after Sir John Crofton who was a pioneer in the treatment of tuberculosis, served as a chair for the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD), and co-authored the World Health Organization’s guidelines for the treatment of tuberculosis.
The Homerton Hospital TB nurses in the London Borough of Hackney were selected as the winner of this year’s prize for housing homeless TB patients with no recourse to public funds. The Homerton Hospital TB nurses often encounter TB among homeless migrants, who do not qualify for welfare support. The care of this population is complex and treatment is often difficult. The Homerton Hospital TB Nurses found that by housing this population for the duration of their treatment, completion rates increased by 1.6% to 91.4%, in just one year.
The Homerton Hospital TB team demonstrated the very best of TB nursing – showing compassion and using innovative ideas to tackle TB. “Oxford Immunotec is proud to stand alongside TB nurses with the goal of eliminating TB as a public health concern worldwide,” says Dr. Peter Wrighton-Smith, Chief Executive Officer at Oxford Immunotec. Oxford Immunotec is a proud sponsor of the award this year and is providing funds for the winner to use towards continuing professional development.
About Oxford Immunotec
Oxford Immunotec Global PLC is a global, commercial-stage diagnostics company focused on developing and commercializing proprietary tests for the management of immune-regulated conditions. The Company’s initial product is the T-SPOT®.TB test, which is used to test for tuberculosis infection. The T-SPOT.TB test has been approved for sale in over 50 countries, including the United States, where it has received pre-market approval from the Food and Drug Administration, Europe, where it has obtained a CE mark, as well as Japan and China. The Company has seven active development programs, each of which leverages our T cell and innate immune measuring technology. The two most advanced products are focused on the transplantation market. The Company is headquartered near Oxford, UK and in Marlborough, MA. Additional information can be found at www.oxfordimmunotec.com.
T-SPOT and the Oxford Immunotec logo are trademarks of Oxford Immunotec Ltd.
About TB Alert
(www.tbalert.org) is the UK’s national tuberculosis charity, and is the only charity that focuses on TB both in the UK and overseas, and works nationally and locally to raise awareness about TB in the UK.
About TB Action Group
The TB Action Group (TBAG) is a network for people affected by TB in the UK. TBAG members provide support to TB patients and use their stories and insights to advocate for better TB services
CONTACTS:
For Media Inquiries:
Caroline Crawley
Oxford Immunotec
Tel: +44 1235 442796
ccrawley@oxfordimmunotec.com
SOURCE: Oxford Immunotec
