PCRS Conference 2026 - Highlights
Programme highlights
A multi-disciplinary team of respiratory experts have designed a conference programme that offers something for everyone. Highlights include comprehensive clinical respiratory updates on hot topics:
Session: Bronchiectasis: Beyond diagnosis - investigation, treatment and ongoing management
Speakers: James Chalmers and Fiona Mosgrove
James will encourage us to “Think bronchiectasis!” in this joint session. 40% of patients have a delay of 5 years or more from onset of symptoms to diagnosis of bronchiectasis – this is a common disease that everyone needs to be aware of.
Anyone with a chronic cough, particularly if its productive, could have bronchiectasis. We have very effective treatments for the disease, so once the diagnosis is made, collaborative working between primary and secondary care can make a huge difference. Sending sputum for culture, treating exacerbations promptly and appropriate preventative treatments control the disease in most cases. Good bronchiectasis care can make a huge difference for patients.
Session: Management of allergy and anaphylaxis in primary care
Speakers: Viv Marsh and Elizabeth Angier
This joint session will demonstrate how to deliver high-quality care to patients whose lives are impacted by allergy and anaphylaxis. Viv said: "I am really pleased to be speaking about the management of allergic rhinitis and allergy at this year's PCRS conference. As a passionate advocate for children and young people with asthma and allergy, this is a great opportunity to support primary care practitioners to deliver high-quality evidence-based care to patients impacted by these common and often debilitating conditions."
Session: Taming uncontrolled asthma: phenotypes and comorbidities
Speaker: Stephen Fowler
This session will explore how you confirm or rule out asthma, including when someone is already on treatment, and determining if asthma is causing their symptoms and exacerbations. Looking at what the alternative possibilities are, Wwhat can be done beyond BTS/NICE/SIGN 2024, and when to refer.
Session: How to be a Respiratory Warrior
Speaker: Katherine Hickman
Katherine Hickman, GP and past PCRS Exec Chair, explores what it means to be a respiratory warrior in this final conference plenary. Respiratory has had an interesting journey over the past few years moving rapidly from “hero to zero”, as ICB funding pressures have led to cuts in programmes and the loss of many clinical leadership roles. Yet the reality is that respiratory disease remains one of the largest causes of morbidity, mortality and inequality in the UK. The problem has not gone away.
This session will explore what it means to be a respiratory warrior in a resource-constrained system. We’ll discuss the competency trap clinicians often fall into where the more capable you are, the more work you are asked to take on and why learning to say no can sometimes be the most powerful leadership decision you make.
Drawing on leadership and behaviour science, the session will reflect on how we can protect our own capacity, set clear boundaries, and continue to advocate for respiratory patients without burning out. Because if there’s one thing history teaches us, it’s that there always seems to be money for war; the question is how we become the warriors respiratory patients need.
Video highlights
Katherine Hickman, Nazir Hussain and Laura Rush share what to expect and what they are most looking forward to at PCRS 2026.
Katherine Hickman
Nazir Hussain
Laura Rush
Conference Sponsors
Thank you to this year's conference sponsors
