HOMELESS people are more prone to tuberculosis, two family doctors reveal in a report.

In addition, tramps suffering from tuberculosis often abuse alcohol. The study on tuberculosis among the central London single homeless, is written by the doctors, who provide unique services for tramps.

Notting Hill GP, Dr David El Kabir, set up Wytham Hall sick bay for homeless people in London , and is physician-in-charge of Great Chapel Street Centre, a health clinic for the homeless. Co-authors Dr Simon Ramden – who shares the Notting Hill practise – and Sabina Baur, a German medical Student, also work at the sick bay.

The report shows that tuberculosis is contracted by up to 11 homeless people per thousand, while it usually affects about 0.27 people per thousand. The researchers found 20 per cent of homeless people they studied had problems with alcohol. However, 75 per cent of those who had tuberculosis abused drink. Alcohol affects patients’ chances of recovery as their lifestyles are often chaotic and their diets poor, claim the doctors. Their report in the Journal of The Royal College of Physicians of London . Says other factors hindering recovery are lack of trust in doctors and time spent finding a bed every night. One year after diagnosis, a third of the patients in the study had been cured of tuberculosis.

Dr El Kabir said: ‘Tuberculosis is a 19 th century problem in 20 th century London . It is like a Dickens novel.’

Family doctors should look out for tuberculosis among homeless people, he said

‘I think that GPs should see it as absorbing work with very interesting people.’