We primarily campaign, advocate and educate the general public, public servants and politicians to improve UK policies on TB and devote more resources to TB research. 

Browse our years in action below!

2024

August

The August letter campaign provided a template for members to approach newly elected MPs inviting them to engage with TB-related issues. Key messaging was that:

  • TB is rising again in the UK: Experts and frontline workers call for urgent political engagement.

  • MPs were invited to connect: meet with UKAPTB members, hear from lived-experience voices, to build political will and strengthen the UK’s leadership in ending TB.

November

UKAPTB sent a letter to the Minister of State for the Department of Health and Social Care, Stephen Kinnock to take action on access to Rifapentine (a TB treatment) in the UK. Key messages included:

  • Rifapentine is a game-changer for TB: It is a key TB drug that shortens treatment, improves completion rates, and reduces side effects, improving outcomes.

  • A call to action: Rifapentine is used globally but there are barriers to access in the UK. We called on the Minister to urge government support to fast-track UK access by addressing regulatory and funding barriers.

December

December saw UKAPTB writing to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to ask for an urgent update to the national TB guidelines. With TB cases rising and new tools available, we wanted a review to NG33 (NICE guidelines for TB published in 2016). The main messages included:

  • NICE TB guidelines are outdated: TB is increasing, drug resistance is a growing problem, and current guidance no longer reflects clinical best practice.

  • A call to update NG33: New treatments, diagnostics, and prevention strategies are needed to improve care, equity, and health outcomes.

UKAPTB also gave a brief presentation at the British thoracic society winter meeting in December, sharing our activities for 2024 and upcoming events for 2025.

2025

February

UKAPTB took part in and supported the high-impact webinar on TB in the UK, a collaboration between UCL-TB and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The webinar had more than 500 attendees and focused on how we should respond to the current TB situation and what steps are needed to strengthen our approach.

Several members of UKAPTB played key roles as speakers, chairs, and panellists, helping to shape the discussion with their expertise and on-the-ground experience.TB in the UK Webinar with UCL-TB and WHO.

March

Every March the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and University College London (UCL) host a one-day symposium to share insights and tackle future TB challenges.

At this year’s event, two UKAPTB executive committee members played key roles:

  • Clinical Lead, Dr Marc Lipman opened the symposium

  • Chair, Dr Jessica Potter chaired the policy and advocacy symposium.

Also in March, we launched a campaign encouraging people to write to their MPs about the urgent rise in TB, both in the UK and globally. We highlighted that:

  • TB is rising in the UK and globally: underfunding risks public health, hitting the most vulnerable groups the hardest.

The letter urged MPs to act and:

  • Join the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Global TB

  • Attend the World TB Day reception on 25th March

  • Engage directly with experts and researchers.

The APPG parliamentary event for global TB was held on World TB Day with the APPG being re-formed successfully.

June

Our letter campaign in June was on two fronts. The first was for members to send to their MPs calling for urgent action on TB drug shortages. The key message was:

  • To urge Parliament to act on TB drug shortages: The shortages are threatening treatment, patient safety, and UK public health.

The second letter was directly from UKAPTB to the Health Select Committee:

  • Shining a spotlight on TB drug shortages, showing the growing risks to patient care and the need for urgent change.

  • We called on them to launch an inquiry into widespread UK drug shortages (a national supply crisis), with a spotlight on TB drug stockouts.

May - July

In May the newly reconstituted APPG Round Table convened for TB in England.

Throughout May to July, the Chief Medical Officer Commission on TB in England had a policy review and UKAPTB executive committee members were at the table to help address the most pressing issues facing TB care and prevention.

September

The All Party Parliamentary Group called for submissions of evidence for their inquiry into why cases of TB are increasing in the UK.

UKAPTB members submitted evidence and supported the campaign to amplify the call for submissions.

October

Dr Jess Potter wrote to the UK PM on behalf of UKAPTB to advocate for the UK to make a significant pledge to the 8th replenishment of the Global Fund to fight HIV, TB and Malaria. This funding is critical to continue the work to end TB!

Importance of the Global Fund:

The letter highlights that the Global Fund is crucial to the global TB response, providing 76% of all international TB financing. They have already saved over 70 million lives, while driving progress towards ending HIV, TB, and malaria by 2030.

Urgency and opportunity:

Progress towards these goals is at risk due to funding gaps and global crises. Renewed UK investment and leadership at the upcoming conference would both reinvigorate the fight against infectious diseases and inspire other donor nations to pledge their support.