In England, certain infectious diseases are legally classified as notifiable. This means that when a medical practitioner suspects or diagnoses one of these diseases, they are required to report it to the appropriate public health authorities. In South Yorkshire, this responsibility primarily falls on general practitioners, who play a crucial role in early detection, notification, and collaboration with public health teams to control the spread of disease.
Notifiable diseases are specific infections and conditions that, by law, must be reported to the local health protection team. The purpose of this system is to allow timely monitoring and control of outbreaks, protect the public, and guide public health responses. Importantly, medical professionals are expected to notify authorities based on clinical suspicion, without waiting for laboratory confirmation.
Under the Health Protection (Notification) Regulations 2010, every registered medical practitioner has a legal duty to notify the ‘proper officer’ at the local council or health protection team when they suspect a patient may have a notifiable disease. This must be done promptly and can often be completed using a designated notification form or, in some cases, via integrated tools within the clinical IT system. Ignoring this duty can have legal repercussions and hinder efforts to protect public health.
In South Yorkshire, all suspected cases should be reported to the UK Health Security Agency’s Yorkshire and Humber Health Protection Team. Notifications can be submitted by phone or email. In some practices, clinical systems like EMIS or SystmOne may support direct notification, so it’s worth checking with your IT team or system administrator to confirm the available options.
UKHSA – Yorkshire and Humber Health Protection Team
📞 0113 387 6004
📧 yorkshirehpu@ukhsa.gov.uk
📄 Notification forms: Gov.uk Notification Form
As of April 2025, chickenpox (varicella) has been added to the list of notifiable diseases in England. This change requires all registered medical practitioners to report suspected cases of chickenpox to their local UKHSA Health Protection Team upon clinical suspicion, without waiting for laboratory confirmation. The inclusion of chickenpox in the notifiable diseases list aims to enhance surveillance and support the potential introduction of a national immunisation programme. For detailed guidance, refer to the UKHSA’s official page on Chickenpox: public health management and guidance.
Diseases that general practice teams commonly encounter and need to report include measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough, meningitis, tuberculosis, COVID-19, scarlet fever, various forms of food poisoning such as those caused by salmonella or E. coli, hepatitis A, B, or C (new diagnosis or suspected acute infection), and now chickenpox. A comprehensive and regularly updated list is available on the UKHSA website.
Measles
Mumps
Rubella
Pertussis (whooping cough)
Meningitis
Tuberculosis (TB)
COVID-19
Scarlet Fever
Food poisoning (e.g. salmonella, E. coli)
Hepatitis A, B, or C (new diagnosis or suspected acute infection)
To fulfil these responsibilities effectively, practices should ensure that all clinicians are familiar with the notification process and their statutory obligations. Keeping a current list of notifiable diseases visible in clinical areas can serve as a helpful reminder. Clinical systems should ideally use templates or tools that prompt notification when a notifiable condition is recorded. It is also important to explain to patients why their case is being reported, emphasising that the process supports public health efforts and that confidentiality is maintained at all times. Collaboration with the local Health Protection Team is encouraged, particularly for advice on case management, school or work exclusions, and contact tracing procedures.
Timely notification of notifiable diseases enables swift public health intervention, supports national and local disease surveillance, and ultimately helps prevent further transmission within the community. General practice is at the front line of this process and plays a pivotal role in protecting the health of the South Yorkshire population.
✅ Helps prevent the spread of infection
✅ Enables prompt public health intervention
✅ Supports local and national surveillance
✅ Strengthens the community’s health resilience