3 March 2026 / London
Susannah La-Touche, Consultant Urological Surgeon, Clinical Director of Undergraduate Surgery.
On 3 March 2026, via the echoing maze-like hallways of Westminster, a small group convened for the first Meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Urinary Tract Infections.
Hosted by Luke Taylor (Liberal Democrat MP) and Allison Gardner (Labour MP), and attended by members of The Urology Foundation (TUF), doctors, nurses, patients, and other interested parties, united with the shared aim of ultimately improving the lives of patients with recurrent (r) and chronic (c) Urinary Tract infections (UTIs).
The objectives were clear. We were to consider the findings from the James Lind Alliance (JLA) Chronic and Recurrent UTI Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) report; to review the PSP’s clinical definitions of recurrent and chronic UTIs; and to agree on the further steps required to inform future policy changes, including updates to NICE guidance. Our final aim was to agree both short and long-term actions that would be needed to obtain better treatments.
The proceedings opened with Professor Chris Harding, who discussed the impact of UTIs and emphasised the need for research focusing on prevention to drive change. He highlighted key points regarding the need for a biomarker to facilitate the definition of cUTIs, the broad impact of the condition on patients, and the significant burden it creates within the confines of the current NHS landscape.
Emma Dennett (Priority-setting partnership lead, AMR Action UK) then outlined the future of UTI research and the findings from the JLA Chronic and Recurrent UTI PSP report. This included an overview of the agreed clinical definitions for chronic and recurrent UTIs [1].
The meeting continued with a panel discussion focusing on clinical definitions, patient experience, and the broader actions that could be taken to improve treatment options. TUF CEO Rebecca Porta, Chairperson Mary Garthwaite, and Nurse Specialist Helen Lake also presented an overview of their newly established UTI hotline. This nurse-led initiative is easily accessible to patients, providing valuable support and guidance.
TV presenter Cherry Healy shared her personal experience of living with urinary tract infections. She spoke openly, describing the medical ‘gaslighting’ she has faced and highlighted the ongoing adjustments she must make in her daily routine to manage her condition, emphasising the significant impact these necessary changes have on her quality of life.
Several critical shortcomings in current care became increasingly evident, even before the panel explored the specifics of current research. One of the primary issues, raised repeatedly during the Q&A session, was the lack of consensus regarding clinical definitions, particularly that of cUTIs. This lack of clarity leads to confusion and inconsistency in diagnosis and care.
The discussion also addressed the potential for pharmacists to play a more prominent and specialised role in supporting individuals affected by UTIs. While it was recognised that this role is already expanding, there was consensus that further refinement and development could significantly enhance the care available to UTI patients.
For those patients who successfully overcome the challenge of medical gaslighting, further obstacles await. Many of these individuals often face a “postcode lottery” when seeking treatment, with available options differing drastically depending on their location. Moreover, they experience notable discontinuity between general practitioners (GPs) and secondary healthcare services, compounding their frustration and negatively impacting their overall quality of life.
It was also acknowledged that treatment options for patients with recurrent and chronic UTIs have advanced less than in other areas of urology, likely due to long-standing underfunding in women's health research.
The message from this meeting was clear and reinforced in the closing statements from our hosts: we need to get the basics right, put renewed effort into UTI research, and have better integrated care between GP services and Urologists.
We are hopeful that this initial APPG will lay the foundation for significant advancements in care for patients affected by urinary tract infections.
References
1. Dennet EJ. Chronic and recurrent urinary tract infection James Lind Alliance priority setting partnership: final report. AMR Action UK 2026.
https://amr-action-uk.org/wp-content/
uploads/2026/02/Chronic-and-recurrent
-UTI-PSP-REPORT-February-2026.pdf
