Bronchiectasis Policy Network UK
The network was established shine a light on this hidden condition and build a unified voice for action to improve the care for people living with bronchiectasis in the UK
Context
Bronchiectasis is a common, serious and progressive lung condition that remains under‑recognised and under‑prioritised across the UK health system.
People living with bronchiectasis can experience severe and life-limiting symptoms that impact every aspect of their lives. This can be compounded by long delays in getting a diagnosis and highly variable access to much needed specialist care, which can further worsen quality of life and increase pressure on the National Health Service (NHS).
Bronchiectasis affects over 300,000 people in the UK and causes permanent damage to the airways, leaving the lungs vulnerable to repeated infection and inflammation. Symptoms such as chronic coughing, breathlessness and fatigue are common, and frequent flare‑ups drive worsening lung damage, hospital admissions and a heightened risk of premature death.
Despite its prevalence and severity, bronchiectasis continues to be overlooked. Diagnosis is often delayed by years, with many people misdiagnosed with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), leading to them being treated with therapies that are not effective for bronchiectasis. Access to specialist, multidisciplinary care varies widely across the UK, with no national service specification or clear care pathway in place, despite increasing patient numbers and pressure on the NHS.
What we’ve achieved
HPP has brought together a group of leading stakeholders from across the UK to form the Bronchiectasis Policy Network UK, a multidisciplinary alliance dedicated to improving outcomes for people with bronchiectasis. The group was formally established in 2025 and HPP acts as Secretariat to the network, organising and coordinating the network, and leading all research, drafting and dissemination of network outputs. Hanover Communications also provide public affairs support for the network.
The network’s first public-facing resource is a policy brief, published in July 2026 to mark World Bronchiectasis Day, outlining the scale of the clinical, economic and societal burden of bronchiectasis. It also sets out a shared vision for change and clear recommendations for system-level action, focused on earlier diagnosis, equitable access to specialist care, stronger data collection and improved public awareness.
The network is focused on engaging with policymakers and system leaders, and developing useful and pragmatic resources, to improve the prioritisation of bronchiectasis and deliver improved care for people living with the condition.
Key partners and stakeholders
This project is guided by the Bronchiectasis Policy Network UK who bring expertise from across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, ensuring recommendations reflect real-world challenges and opportunities across the UK. Members of this multidisciplinary group include:
- Anthony De Soyza (Chair), Professor of Pulmonary Medicine, Newcastle University; Adult Bronchiectasis Service Newcastle upon Tyne Teaching Hospitals
- Beverley Bostock, Advanced Nurse Practitioner; Executive Board Member, Association of Respiratory Nurses
- Carwyn Bridges, Physiotherapist and National Respiratory Allied Healthcare Professional (AHP) Lead, NHS Wales Performance and Improvement
- Rachel Daly, Airways Lead Nurse Specialist, Northwest Lung Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
- Jamie Duckers, Bronchiectasis Service Lead; Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (UHB) and Health Care Research Wales Respiratory Lead; Trustee of Asthma and Lung UK
- Tom Fardon, Consultant Physician in Respiratory and General Internal Medicine, NHS Tayside
- Alex Fynney, Policy Officer, Asthma + Lung UK
- Kevin Gruffydd-Jones, General Practice Senior Partner, Box, Wiltshire
- Martin Kelly, Respiratory Consultant, Altnagelvin Hospital, Northern Ireland
- Fiona Mosgrove, General Practitioner with a Special Interest (GPWSI) Respiratory Medicine, NHS Grampian
- Jennifer Quint, Professor of Respiratory Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London
- Alan Timothy, European Lung Foundation (ELF) Bronchiectasis Patient Advisory Group
- Naomi Watt, Respiratory Nurse Specialist Nurse; Healthcare Professional Engagement Manager, Asthma + Lung UK
- Professor Tom Wilkinson, Professor of Respiratory Medicine, University of Southampton; Senior Clinical Lead, National Respiratory Audit Programme (NRAP)
The experts represent their own views.
Project funding
The Bronchiectasis Policy Network UK is a UK-based multi-stakeholder alliance, initiated and funded by Insmed Ltd. The secretariat is provided by The Health Policy Partnership, an independent health research and policy consultancy. The activities and outputs of the network are guided by members. Most members are remunerated for their time except Alex Fynney on behalf of Asthma + Lung UK who provided their time on a voluntary basis. All outputs from this group are above brand, non-promotional, evidence-based and shaped by the network members, who hold ultimate editorial control.