Season’s Greeting
As the year draws to a close, we would like to send warm wishes to everyone in the aspergillosis community — patients, families, carers, clinicians, nurses, scientists, and all professionals working to improve care and understanding.
Living with aspergillosis, or supporting those who do, often requires resilience, patience, and compassion. Throughout this year, we have seen remarkable strength from patients, dedication from healthcare teams, and generosity of spirit across our wider community.
At this time of reflection and renewal — whether you mark Christmas, another festival, or simply the turning of the year — we hope you find moments of rest, comfort, and connection. May the days ahead bring steadier health where possible, renewed energy, and continued progress in care, research, and support.
Thank you for being part of this community.
With warmest wishes for peace, kindness, and hope — now and into the New Year.
The Chief Medical Officer’s Annual Report 2025: Infections
What this document is
The Chief Medical Officer’s Annual Report 2025: Infections is a major national review produced by the Chief Medical Officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty. It is a comprehensive, 371-page assessment of:
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Current infectious disease threats in England
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How infections are changing (ageing population, travel, globalisation, antimicrobial resistance)
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What the NHS, public health services, and government need to do to protect the public
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Key topics including vaccines, fungal infections, infection in older adults, housing, climate change and more
It includes contributions from national experts—including a full chapter dedicated to fungal infections (section 4.2) and others that touch on issues highly relevant to aspergillosis patients (vaccination, antimicrobial resistance, respiratory infections, housing, and vulnerable populations)
cmo-annual-report-2025-infectio…
Why it is published
The report is published each year to:
1. Advise Government
It sets out the CMO’s expert recommendations on how England should prepare for current and future infection threats, including pandemics, AMR, and emerging fungal pathogens.
2. Influence NHS planning and investment
The report highlights weaknesses in the system and proposes reforms.
This year’s report strongly emphasises:
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Better infection services
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Stronger surveillance
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Improving vaccine uptake
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Protecting older adults (now the group with most infection-related deaths)
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Expanding superspecialist expertise—including fungal disease expertise
3. Inform clinicians, researchers, and public health professionals
It provides a current consensus on infectious disease trends, evidence, and priorities.
Chapters are written by leading UK experts in each field (e.g., fungal infections, antimicrobial resistance, vaccines, imported infections)
4. Educate the public and third-sector organisations
The report is open-access and intended to help the public understand why infection preparedness matters and why actions like vaccination, stewardship, and early diagnosis are essential.
Who reads it
The report is widely used across:
Government
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Department of Health and Social Care
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UKHSA
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Cabinet Office (emergency planning)
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Local authorities
NHS and clinical services
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Infectious disease physicians
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Respiratory teams
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Microbiology and virology specialists
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Primary care networks
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ICS / ICB teams planning local services
Researchers and academic institutions
It sets the direction for future research and funding priorities, including for fungal disease and AMR.
Charities, patient organisations and advocates
Groups representing people with chronic, infectious, or respiratory illness read the report to understand system-level changes and advocate for patient needs.
Industry and diagnostics developers
They monitor future needs for antifungals, vaccines, and diagnostic tools.
Why this report is important for aspergillosis patients
Several aspects of the 2025 report directly relate to people with ABPA, CPA, SAFS or Aspergillus bronchitis.
1. Fungal infections are recognised as a major emerging threat
The report includes a dedicated chapter on fungal infections (section 4.2), describing:
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Rising antifungal resistance
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Expanding fungal threats globally
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The importance of specialist mycology expertise
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The risks from agricultural fungicides
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The need for improved surveillance and diagnostics
This formal recognition strengthens the case for specialised centres like the National Aspergillosis Centre.
2. It highlights the need for superspecialists in rare and imported infections—including fungal disease
The CMO states that England requires:
“superspecialists to provide advice on and management of infections including… rarer [infections] such as fungal infections.”
cmo-annual-report-2025-infectio…
This directly supports the role and expansion of the NHS mycology services, which Aspergillus patients rely on for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
**3. It reinforces the importance of antimicrobial and antifungal stewardship
For people with aspergillosis, this matters because:
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Resistance to azoles is rising—and the report explicitly mentions agricultural fungicides as part of the problem.
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Stewardship ensures patients receive appropriate antifungals, monitored carefully and adjusted safely.
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It argues for more drug development, which is essential because current antifungal options are limited.
4. It emphasises diagnosing infection in older adults
Older adults are increasingly vulnerable to infections and complications, especially respiratory ones.
The report stresses that:
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Infection in older adults often has more serious consequences
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Early diagnosis is essential
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Access to specialist care must improve
Since many aspergillosis patients are older with complex lung disease, this section validates the need for better recognition and earlier referral.
5. Housing and damp are recognised as infection risks
The chapter Housing and Infection (section 7.2) discusses how substandard housing—including damp and mould—drives respiratory illness.
Although not Aspergillus-specific, it gives important public health backing for patients needing remediation and better housing conditions.
6. The report strengthens the case for national fungal surveillance
Key recommendations include:
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Improving surveillance of antimicrobial and antifungal resistance
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Better mapping of emerging pathogens
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More research into fungal diseases
These system-level improvements directly benefit aspergillosis patients by helping earlier detection and better treatment options.
7. It raises awareness of fungal disease at national level
Simply being included in a flagship CMO report is important.
It means:
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Policymakers can no longer overlook fungal infections
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Funding for mycology services becomes easier to justify
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Clinicians across the NHS will become more aware of CPA, ABPA and related diseases
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It helps reduce the years-long diagnostic delays many patients face
In short — why Aspergillus patients should care
The 2025 CMO Annual Report is one of the most influential documents shaping future infectious disease strategy in England. For aspergillosis patients, it is important because:
✓ Fungal infections are explicitly highlighted as a growing threat
✓ Specialist mycology services are recognised as essential
✓ Antifungal resistance is identified as a major risk requiring action
✓ Better diagnosis and monitoring of at-risk groups is encouraged
✓ Housing, climate, age and vulnerability—all major issues for patients—are addressed
✓ It strengthens the case for investment in NAC and wider mycology networks
This report can be used by patient groups, NAC advocates, and healthcare professionals to press for:
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More referrals
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Better awareness among GPs and respiratory teams
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Expanded mycology diagnostic capacity
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Greater research funding
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Better antifungal stewardship
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National fungal surveillance
🌐 Promoting the NHS National Aspergillosis Centre (NAC)
Nationally Commissioned Service • Specialist Advice • Remote MDT • Patient Support
Chronic and allergic aspergillosis remain significantly under-recognised across the UK — despite their substantial burden on respiratory, infectious disease, and immunology services.
As the NHS England–commissioned National Aspergillosis Centre (NAC), based at Wythenshawe Hospital (Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust), we provide national expertise, remote support, and shared-care pathways for clinicians managing these complex conditions.
📊 Why This Matters
Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) affects an estimated 3–4 per 100,000 people in the UK, with far higher rates in those with:
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Previous tuberculosis
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COPD
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Non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease
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Sarcoidosis
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Bronchiectasis
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) may affect:
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2.5% of adult asthmatics
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Up to 15% of people with cystic fibrosis
Yet both conditions are frequently undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, leading to delayed treatment and avoidable morbidity.
🏥 How NAC Supports Clinicians Across the UK
As the nationally commissioned centre for chronic aspergillosis, we offer:
🩺 Specialist clinical care
Face-to-face and remote clinics with structured long-term follow-up in partnership with local teams.
👥 National Aspergillosis MDT via Teams Remote Communication
A dedicated MDT where clinicians can refer and discuss complex diagnostic or therapeutic cases.
📧 Consultant-led advice & guidance
Available via phone & email, including:
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Diagnostic support
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Interpretation of IgE/IgG and fungal microbiology
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Antifungal prescribing advice
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Case planning for ABPA, CPA, SAFS and Aspergillus bronchitis
🔬 Access to advanced diagnostics
Including Aspergillus-specific IgE/IgG, culture, imaging, and molecular testing (e.g. antifungal resistance).
💬 Patient support & education (NAC CARES)
Moderated online groups, weekly patient meetings, webinars, and comprehensive educational resources — helping patients understand their condition and remain safely supported close to home.
🤝 We Welcome Collaboration
We’d be pleased to connect with respiratory, ID, immunology, and internal medicine teams to discuss:
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Shared-care pathways
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Diagnostic support
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Service guidance
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Virtual or in-person educational sessions
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Case-specific MDT referrals
📄 Further information
Referral pathways, service scope and patient resources:
👉 https://mft.nhs.uk/wythenshawe/services/infectious-diseases/national-aspergillosis-centre/
Dr Chris Kosmidis
Clinical Lead, NHS National Aspergillosis Centre
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
❤️ Thinking About Donating Blood After Aspergillosis or Lung Treatment?
A supportive message for people living with ABPA, CPA, SAFS, and related lung conditions
When you live with aspergillosis or a long-term lung condition, you know what it means to go through difficult treatments, long recoveries, and moments of uncertainty.
So when someone says, “Once I’m well, I’d like to donate blood to help others,” it is an incredibly generous and hopeful act.
Many people in our community wonder whether blood donation is possible after lung surgery, long-term inhalers, antifungals, or biologics. The reassuring answer is:
👉 Yes — some aspergillosis patients can donate blood once fully recovered, but it depends on individual treatments and health status.
And even if you can’t donate, the spirit behind the idea is powerful and meaningful.
🌱 1. Recovery comes first — your health is the priority
Whether you’ve had:
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ABPA flare-ups
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CPA treatment
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bronchoscopy
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long-term antifungals
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biologics
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a lobectomy or wedge resection
…the NHS will want you to be:
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fully healed
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breathing comfortably
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stable in your lung condition
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free from infection
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strong enough to safely donate
For major surgery like a lobectomy, this often means several months of recovery before you can even be reviewed for donation.
This protects your health, not just the receiver’s.
💊 2. Medications commonly used for aspergillosis can affect eligibility
NHS Blood and Transplant will look closely at what you’re taking.
Here’s a simple guide:
Often NOT permitted
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Biologics (e.g., mepolizumab, benralizumab, dupilumab)
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Long-term immunosuppressants
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Regular systemic steroids
May require a delay after stopping
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Itraconazole / voriconazole / posaconazole
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Recent antibiotic courses
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Short steroid bursts
Usually fine
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Inhalers
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Nebulised saline
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Montelukast
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Airway clearance treatments
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Most pain medicines
Every case is assessed individually — there is no automatic “yes” or “no” for all aspergillosis patients.
🫁 3. Your lung condition does not automatically exclude you
Having ABPA, CPA, bronchiectasis, or SAFS does not automatically prevent blood donation.
What matters is:
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your condition is stable
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your oxygen levels are good
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you are not prone to sudden flare-ups
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you feel well and strong
Many people with asthma or mild-to-moderate bronchiectasis still donate safely.
🩸 4. Your blood type is always valuable
Whether you’re a universal donor type (O-negative) or any other type, your blood can help save lives.
Even wanting to donate is something to be proud of — especially after everything you’ve been through.
🌟 5. The intention to donate speaks volumes about your strength
People living with aspergillosis know:
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what it means to struggle for breath
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how it feels to wait for test results
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the exhaustion of flare-ups
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the courage needed for surgery
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the patience required for long-term treatment
So when someone in this community says:
“If I recover well, I want to donate blood to help someone else.”
…it’s a truly inspiring message of recovery and generosity.
🌈 6. Even if you can’t donate — your kindness still matters
Because of medications or long-term conditions, some people with aspergillosis will be told they can’t donate blood. This is completely normal.
You can still help others by:
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encouraging friends or family to donate
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sharing your story to raise awareness
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supporting patient groups, campaigns, and research
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simply being there for someone newly diagnosed
Your contribution to the world is not measured by a needle — it’s measured by your compassion.
❤️ Takeaway message
If you want to donate blood after aspergillosis treatment or lung surgery, that’s a beautiful intention. When you’re fully recovered, the NHS can review your health and medications. Whether you can donate or not, the willingness to help others already makes a real difference.
Why Join the Aspergillosis Patient Advisory Group (PAG)?
Supported by the European Lung Foundation (ELF), NAC CARES, and the European Respiratory Society (ERS).
Living with aspergillosis — CPA, ABPA, SAFS, Aspergillus bronchitis or sinus disease — can be overwhelming. Many people feel isolated, struggle to find clear information, or feel unsure how to influence the care they receive.
That is exactly why the Aspergillosis Patient Advisory Group (PAG) exists.
The PAG is supported by the European Lung Foundation (ELF) — based in Sheffield — and by NAC CARES, the patient engagement and support team at the UK National Aspergillosis Centre (NAC) in Manchester. Together, ELF, NAC CARES and the PAG work closely with the European Respiratory Society (ERS) to make sure the patient voice shapes research, education, and clinical practice across Europe and the UK.
What ELF Does
ELF brings together patients, carers, researchers and professionals from across Europe including the UK. It:
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Provides clear, trustworthy patient information
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Organises and hosts patient advisory groups
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Ensures patient voices are included in ERS guidelines and research
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Supports patient–professional workshops, surveys and consultations
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Helps patients shape respiratory policy and awareness campaigns
Because ELF is UK-based, participation is easy for UK patients.
What NAC CARES Does
NAC CARES is the patient-facing team at the National Aspergillosis Centre in Manchester.
They:
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Support UK patients to join the PAG
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Help connect lived experience from UK clinics to the wider European PAG
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Share updates, resources, and educational material
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Bring PAG priorities back into NAC’s clinical and research work
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Ensure UK patients feel included, represented and supported within ELF and ERS structures
NAC CARES acts as a bridge between UK clinical expertise and European patient involvement.
What the Aspergillosis PAG Does
The PAG ensures that people living with aspergillosis have a direct say in:
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Research design
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European Respiratory Society guidelines
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New diagnostic and treatment pathways
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Patient-friendly information materials
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Awareness projects and health campaigns
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Surveys that drive change in policy and clinical practice
Your lived experience is treated as meaningful expertise.
Why Join the PAG? Why Spend Your Energy?
Many people with aspergillosis have limited energy.
Here is why members say it is worth it:
1. You receive clear, reliable information
Updates on research, antifungals, biologics, trials and guidelines — written for patients, not scientists.
2. Your voice shapes real decisions
ERS guideline committees and research teams listen.
Your input changes how care is delivered.
3. You feel less alone
Aspergillosis is rare.
The PAG connects you with people across Europe and the UK who truly understand.
4. You choose how involved you want to be
You can simply receive updates — or you can complete the occasional survey, join a focus group, or help shape a guideline.
No pressure, no obligation.
5. It improves care for everyone — including you
Your experience helps highlight what really matters:
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Delayed diagnosis
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Side-effects
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Treatment access
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Fatigue and breathlessness
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Impact on quality of life
This evidence influences clinicians, researchers and policymakers.
6. It is free, inclusive and easy to join
No travel.
No cost.
All online.
Europe includes the UK, and ELF is based in Sheffield.
Who Can Join?
Anyone affected by aspergillosis:
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Patients with CPA, ABPA, SAFS, Aspergillus bronchitis or sinus disease
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People with fungal allergy in asthma or bronchiectasis
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Family members and carers
No medical background needed.
How to Join
You can join in a few minutes:
👉 https://europeanlung.org/en/patient-advisory-groups/
Choose “Aspergillosis”.
You’ll then receive updates and invitations to take part — always at your own pace.
In One Line:
The PAG gives you good information, a real voice in shaping aspergillosis care, and a supportive community — with full backing from ELF, ERS and NAC CARES.
🌿 Why We All Need to Advocate for Ourselves as the NHS Faces Change and Pressure
A patient-friendly guide to staying safe and getting the care you need
The NHS is going through one of the most challenging periods in its history. Services are under pressure, staff are stretched, and backlogs remain high across nearly every speciality. None of this is the fault of patients or staff — it’s the reality of a system trying to do too much with too little.
In times like this, one thing becomes more important than ever:
⭐ Advocating for your own health.
Advocacy simply means speaking up when you need help, asking questions, and making sure your concerns are heard. It’s not about complaining or demanding; it’s about ensuring you get the support, information, and care you deserve.
Here’s why it matters — and how to do it safely and confidently.
🔍 1. Some things no longer happen automatically
With so many clinics running over capacity, routine tasks can be delayed or missed:
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Follow-up appointments don’t always get booked
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Test results aren’t always communicated quickly
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Reviews may slip off the system
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New medications sometimes aren’t monitored as closely as they should be
This isn’t because your team doesn’t care.
It’s because the system is stretched.
Advocating for yourself helps fill the gaps.
💬 2. Asking questions keeps you safer
If something is unclear — a result, a new medication, a change in symptoms, or a delay — asking for clarification is not only reasonable, it’s sensible.
Good questions to ask:
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“When should my next review be?”
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“Who do I contact if I have a problem?”
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“What symptoms should I watch for?”
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“Is there a plan for monitoring?”
Healthcare teams want patients to feel informed.
They would rather you ask than worry in silence.
📞 3. The NHS wants patients to raise concerns early
Early contact helps prevent:
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deteriorations
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emergency admissions
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medication complications
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worsening long-term conditions
Services rely on patients saying, “Something isn’t right.”
It’s an essential part of safe care, not an inconvenience.
🧭 4. The NHS is changing — and patients play a role in shaping care
Integrated Care Systems (ICS), value-based care, and new digital pathways are all evolving.
These changes aim to make care:
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more personalised
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more consistent
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more focused on real outcomes
But during transitions, there are bumps in the road.
Patient feedback — including when something hasn’t worked — helps services identify where improvements are needed.
You are part of shaping that improvement.
❤️ 5. You deserve to be heard
Many patients worry about “bothering” the NHS.
But advocating for yourself is:
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responsible
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appropriate
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encouraged
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part of keeping long-term conditions well-managed
You are not asking for anything unreasonable.
You are simply making sure your health is looked after.
🌼 6. How to advocate confidently
Here are gentle, effective ways to speak up:
Be clear
“I haven’t had a review since starting this treatment — can we arrange one?”
Be specific
“I’m unsure who to contact if I worsen. Could you give me the correct number?”
Be persistent if needed
“It’s been a few weeks since I asked — could you update me on the appointment?”
Keep records
Dates, names, symptoms, and messages help everything run more smoothly.
Ask for your named clinician or team
Every patient is entitled to know who oversees their care.
🌟 7. You are not alone — and it’s OK to ask for help
Advocacy doesn’t mean you carry the burden alone.
Groups like NAC, patient communities, and charities can help you:
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understand the system
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find the right contacts
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prepare questions
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know what to expect
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get support if you’re struggling to be heard
Empowering yourself helps others too — the more patients speak up, the more the system adapts.
💚 In summary
The NHS is still full of dedicated people who care deeply about their patients.
But the reality of high demand and limited capacity means:
We all have to be a little more active in asking for what we need.
Advocating for your own health is:
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responsible
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protective
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empowering
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part of modern healthcare
It ensures you get the right care at the right time — and it helps the NHS deliver safer, more responsive services.
⚠️ Flu Season Warning: UK Flu Cases Are Now Surging — Dominated by a Drifted H3N2 Strain
The UK flu season has begun much earlier and much faster than usual, and cases are now surging across the country. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirms that the dominant strain this year is a drifted influenza A(H3N2) variant (sub-clade K). This strain now accounts for the vast majority of flu cases in people tested.
🔥 Why this flu season is different
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Almost all flu cases are influenza A, and around 84% of typed cases are H3N2.
This pattern is consistent across community, GP and hospital surveillance. -
The H3N2 strain circulating is genetically drifted, meaning it has evolved away somewhat from the reference vaccine strain.
UKHSA has publicly confirmed this drift. -
This increases the risk of infection spreading rapidly — which is exactly what is happening now.
🛡️ Does the flu vaccine still work?
Yes — despite the drift, UKHSA reports that the 2025–26 flu vaccine still provides important protection, including:
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~70–75% effectiveness in children
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~30–40% effectiveness in adults
This means vaccination dramatically reduces severity, even if it does not fully prevent infection.
⚠️ Why this matters for people with lung conditions
If you have:
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ABPA (Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis)
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Bronchiectasis
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Asthma
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Chronic lung disease
…you are at higher risk of: -
pneumonia
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severe chest infections
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hospitalisation
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long recovery times
H3N2 seasons are historically worse for adults and people with underlying respiratory disease.
🔺 What you should do now
1. Get vaccinated immediately
If you haven’t had your flu jab yet, do not wait.
The season is already surging and accelerating earlier than usual.
2. Be extremely cautious in high-risk environments
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Schools
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Public transport
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Healthcare settings
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Large indoor gatherings
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Poorly ventilated rooms
3. Use winter protection behaviours
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Ventilate indoor spaces
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Consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor areas
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Wash hands frequently
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Avoid contact with people who are unwell
4. If you become ill — act fast
For anyone with ABPA, bronchiectasis or asthma:
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A sudden fever
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A sharp rise in cough
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Change in sputum
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Chest tightness
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Breathing changes
…should be treated as early warning signs.
Contact your GP or respiratory team quickly, as secondary pneumonia is more likely in H3N2 seasons.
Summary
Flu is now surging across the UK, driven by a drifted H3N2 strain, and people with underlying lung disease should take this season particularly seriously.
Vaccination remains strongly protective, but additional precautions are vital during this rapid upswing in cases.
💙 The NHS Is Changing: What “Value-Based Healthcare” Means for People with Aspergillosis
The NHS is beginning to look not just at how many people it treats, but how well those treatments work — and whether every pound spent makes the biggest difference to patients’ lives.
This idea is called value-based healthcare (VBHC).
🧭 What “value” means
In simple terms, value =
Better health and quality of life for patients ➗ the resources and effort used to achieve it.
It’s not about cutting care.
It’s about making sure time, money, and medicines are used where they bring the greatest benefit — especially for people with long-term or complex conditions like aspergillosis.
⚙️ From “productivity” to “value”
Until now, the NHS has mostly measured productivity — how many people are seen, how many tests or treatments are delivered, and how quickly.
That approach works for short-term or simple care (like hip replacements or cataract surgery), but it doesn’t tell the full story for complex, long-term conditions such as aspergillosis, where the real goal is to stay well, avoid hospital admissions, and maintain a good quality of life.
So, over the next few years, these older productivity measures will gradually be replaced or balanced with value-based measures that ask:
“Did this care actually help patients live better and longer — and was it a good use of NHS resources?”
This means success will be judged more on outcomes and experience than on numbers and speed.
🌿 Why this matters for people with aspergillosis
Aspergillosis, whether Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA) or Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CPA), is often complicated and different for every patient.
Traditional NHS targets — such as waiting times or the number of appointments — don’t always show whether patients are breathing easier, feeling stronger, or coping better at home.
Value-based care changes that by focusing on:
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Real health outcomes – fewer flare-ups, better lung function, reduced fatigue
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Patient experience – how well care fits your needs, and how supported you feel
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Sensible use of treatments – balancing benefit, side effects, and cost
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Joined-up care – making sure specialists, GPs, and community teams work together smoothly
🏥 How the National Aspergillosis Centre (NAC) fits in
The National Aspergillosis Centre (NAC) already works in a value-based way:
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It tracks outcomes such as infection control, hospital admissions, and steroid use
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It listens to patients through groups, surveys, and education sessions
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It combines research, expert treatment, and patient partnership to improve care
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It shares learning with hospitals across the UK
As the NHS moves further toward value-based care, NAC’s approach — measuring what really matters to patients — is exactly the kind of model the health service wants to grow.
🔄 What might change over the next few years
You may start to notice:
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More focus on your experience and progress: you might be asked to fill in short questionnaires about symptoms and quality of life (called Patient-Reported Outcome Measures or PROMs).
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Better coordination between hospital, GP, and community teams — digital health records will help your care stay connected.
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New measures of success: NAC may report things like “flare-ups prevented” or “improvement in wellbeing” rather than only how many people were seen.
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More evidence about what works: shared data will help identify which treatments or combinations give the most benefit.
⚠️ What it does not mean
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It doesn’t mean fewer services or reduced access for people with complex lung disease.
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Rare conditions like aspergillosis will continue to need specialist national centres because they provide expert care that general services can’t.
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The goal is to show that centres like NAC deliver high value — preventing complications, reducing hospital stays, and improving lives.
💬 What you can do
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Give feedback about your health and care — this helps measure real outcomes.
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Take part in surveys or PROMs if asked — these are how value is proven.
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Stay involved in patient groups and discussions — your voice helps shape what “value” means for people living with aspergillosis.
🌱 In summary
The NHS is moving from counting treatments to counting outcomes.
For people with aspergillosis, that means care that’s more personalised, joined-up, and focused on what really matters — your health, comfort, and quality of life.
The National Aspergillosis Centre is well placed to lead this change and to show how specialist, patient-centred care can deliver real value for people with complex lung disease.
🌧️ Damp Homes and Aspergillosis: Why This Matters
If you live with aspergillosis, asthma, or other chronic lung conditions, your home environment plays a vital role in how well you stay.
Dampness, mould, and poor ventilation allow fungi — including Aspergillus — to grow and release spores into the air. Breathing in these spores can irritate airways, trigger allergic reactions, or worsen infection risk.
That’s why the NAC CARES team has gathered the latest UK policy, research, and practical guidance on this issue — all now available on our new information hub:
👉 Damp Homes – UK Policy and Research
🏠 What’s New on the Aspergillosis.org Damp Homes Page
Over the past week, the NAC CARES team has published a series of new articles and updates that help you:
1. Understand the Health Risks
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How damp and mould can worsen breathing symptoms or trigger flare-ups in conditions like Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CPA) and Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA).
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Why people with weakened lungs or immune systems are especially at risk.
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The hidden signs of mould exposure — condensation, musty odours, or discoloured walls — even when no visible black mould is seen.
2. Learn About Your Rights and What to Do
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What to check if you rent your home and find damp or mould.
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Step-by-step guidance on how to report problems, who is responsible for fixing them, and what help is available if landlords or councils don’t act.
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Links to official UK guidance, including the Awaab’s Law updates, which strengthen tenants’ rights to safe housing.
3. Keep Up with the Latest Research and Policy
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Summaries of recent UK housing and health studies connecting damp homes to respiratory illness.
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Insights into national policy changes — including new housing safety standards and public health responses.
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Easy-to-read summaries of scientific studies showing how mould affects airways and immune response in vulnerable patients.
🧰 How to Use the New Page
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Start with the main hub: Damp Homes – UK Policy and Research.
This gathers all the latest NAC CARES articles, research links, and resources in one place. -
Explore by topic:
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Health & Risk – what damp means for your lungs.
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Practical Advice – how to spot and deal with mould.
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Policy & Research – what the UK government and researchers are doing to address the problem.
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Take action:
Use the linked materials when talking with your GP, local council, or housing officer. Having official NHS and government evidence can help you get faster results.
💬 Key Takeaways for Aspergillosis Patients
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Keep your home dry, warm, and well-ventilated.
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Report damp or mould promptly to landlords or housing providers — and keep written records.
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If your symptoms worsen and you suspect environmental triggers, speak with your care team at NAC or your respiratory specialist.
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Use the NAC CARES Damp Homes page as a trusted, evidence-based guide to understanding your risks and your rights.
Share your feedback about your care at the National Aspergillosis Centre
There’s now a new way to read and share patient feedback about local NHS hospitals online. All comments come directly from patients and carers.
That’s because NAC sits within the Infectious Diseases service, which is managed through North Manchester as part of the new Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) structure.
