ELF events at ERS Congress 2026

Dismantling the divide: patients and professionals as one team

10:00 to 17:30

Room 3C and online

The annual ELF Patient Organisation Networking Day will explore how patients and healthcare professionals can work together as equal partners in healthcare, advocacy and research. This event requires registration.

Patient representatives will be involved throughout the programme as chairs and speakers, including outgoing ELF Chair Dimitris Kontopidis, incoming ELF Chair Phil Taverner, Stefano Pavanello, Carlos Pons, Eliza Kompatsiari, Éric Salone, Alba Ubide, Debra Montague, Jean-Michel Fourrier, Haneefa Alam, Oksana Kulish-Skåra and Marion Wilkens.

09:00 to 09:45

Studio

Co-chaired by patient respresentative Mehar Singh, this expert interview will explore the challenges and opportunities involved in supporting people living with asthma as they move between different stages of care.

09:00 to 10:00 

Room 1A 

Patient representative Luciano Cattani will join this forum as a speaker, exploring how advances in science can contribute to prevention strategies and improve lung health outcomes across populations.

09:30 to 11:00

Room 3BY

Co-chaired by patient representative Debra Montague, this forum will explore integrated approaches to lung healthcare and the role of primary care services in supporting better patient outcomes.

10:15 to 11:00

Studio

Co-chaired by patient representative Irene Nevado, this discussion will explore different approaches to scientific discovery and consider how data-driven and mechanism-driven research can shape the future of lung health science.

11:15 to 12:45

Room 3B

Co-chaired by patient representative Debra Montague, this session will continue discussions on integrated lung health care, highlighting shared learning in different healthcare settings and patient communities.

11:15 to 12:00

Studio

Co-chaired by patient representative Irene Nevado, this expert interview will explore current challenges faced by people living with cystic fibrosis and discuss approaches to improving care.

13:00 to 13:45

Studio

Co-chaired by patient representative Chantel Vandendungen, this EU project session will explore how improved access to patient data can support research and improve outcomes for people affected by lung cancer.

14:00 to 17:30

3E

Co-chaired by patient representative Filippo Martone, this paid postgraduate course will explore the diagnosis and management of sarcoidosis from a multiorgan perspective.

14:00 to 17:30

3G

Featuring patient representative Carla Miltz, this paid postgraduate course will explore personalised approaches to diagnosing and treating obstructive sleep apnoea.

14:00 to 17:30

3K

Featuring a patient testimonial video from Pierre De Villiers, this paid postgraduate course will explore the diagnosis and management of pulmonary aspergillosis.

14:00 to 14:25

Studio

Co-chaired by patient representative Chantal Vandendungen, this session will explore how family and informal caregivers can be more effectively included in lung healthcare and pulmonary rehabilitation.

14:25 to 14:50

Studio

Co-chaired by patient representative Chantal Vandendungen, this session will explore the impact of medicine shortages and discuss how patients, researchers and healthcare professionals can work together to address the issue.

08:30 to 10:00

Room 3C

Featuring a patient testimonial video from Joshua Suwa, this mini symposium will explore the impact of occupational exposures on interstitial lung disease and highlight the importance of understanding patients’ work histories.

08:30 to 10:00

Room 3E

Co-chaired by patient representative and ELF Vice Chair Helen Parks, this symposium will explore tobacco control, vaping and public health policy, with a focus on ensuring that no communities are left behind.

08:30 to 10:00

Room 3D

Co-chaired by patient representative Jean-Michel Fourrier, this symposium will explore advances in exercise assessment, physical activity and pulmonary rehabilitation for people living with chronic lung disease.

08:30 to 10:00

Room 3B

Featuring a joint patient testimonial video from Bram and Inge Roelandt, this symposium will explore best practice in advance care planning for children and young people with complex medical needs.

10:00 to 18:30

Offsite, Plaça de la Universitat

Members of the public and ERS Congress 2026 attendees can take part in free lung health testing at the Plaça de la Universitat and speak to the team about the Healthy Lungs for Life campaign and holding your own event.

10:15 to 11:45

Room 3D

Co-chaired by patient representative Jean-Michel Fourrier, this mini symposium will explore practical approaches to meaningful patient involvement in healthcare design and research.

10:15 to 11:45

Room 3E

Co-chaired by patient representative and ELF Vice Chair Helen Parks, this mini symposium will examine the impact of climate change on lung health and explore how patients and professionals can support action and resilience.

11:00 to 11:45

Studio

Co-chaired by patient representative Tom Bermingham and featuring patient speakers Rachael McGill and Eleni Stamouli, this patient-centred session will explore how patients and healthcare professionals can work together to address the physical, emotional and social impacts of lung disease.

13:45 to 15:15

Room 3D

Co-chaired by patient representative Justine Hamaïde, this symposium will explore the role of the BCG vaccine and the development of next-generation tuberculosis (TB) vaccines, highlighting their potential to reduce the global burden of this infectious disease.

15:30 to 17:00

Room 3D

Co-chaired by patient representative Justine Hamaïde, this symposium will discuss diagnosis, monitoring, treatment and prevention strategies for NTM-PD, highlighting opportunities to improve outcomes for people affected by the condition.

15:30 to 17:00

Room 3B

Featuring patient representative Louise Bouman as a speaker, this symposium will explore how scientific discoveries are translated into new therapies for pulmonary arterial hypertension.

08:00 to 09:30

PS-42

Co-chaired by patient representative Caroline Love, this poster session complements the oral presentation session taking place on Tuesday 8 September, which will highlight examples of successful collaboration between patients, researchers and healthcare professionals.

08:30 to 10:00

Room 3C

Featuring patient representative Natalia Maeva as a speaker, this hot topic session includes a patient perspective on the importance of multidisciplinary care for people living with rare lung diseases.

08:30 to 10:00

Room 3E

Featuring a patient testimonial video from Richard Müller, this mini symposium session will explore how palliative care can be better integrated into COPD management and long-term support.

09:15 to 10:00

Room 3L

Featuring a patient testimonial video from Luca Roberti, this guidelines session will explore patient experiences and recommendations relating to CPAP treatment.

10:15 to 11:45

Room 3D

Featuring a patient testimonial video from Stefano Pavanello, this mini symposium will explore the role of thoracic ultrasound in improving diagnosis, treatment and patient experience across lung conditions.

11:30 to 12:15

Studio

Chaired by patient representative Mikaela Odemyr and featuring patient representatives Steve Jones and Charlotta Norgaard as speakers, this patient-centred session will explore how patients can work as equal partners in lung health research.

13:45 to 14:30

Room 3L

Featuring a patient testimonial video from Janette Rawlinson on lung cancer screening and follow-up care, this guidelines session will explore how evidence-based approaches can support early detection, improve decision-making and help ensure high-quality care for people taking part in lung cancer screening programmes.

13:45 to 15:15

Room 3B

Featuring a patient testimonial video from Barry Goffred, this hot topic session will explore the relationship between nutrition, environmental exposures and lung health.

13:45 to 15:15

Room 3E

Co-chaired by incoming ELF Chair Phil Taverner, this symposium will explore patient empowerment, self-management and partnership working in lung health.

13:45 to 15:15

Room 3F

Featuring patient representatives Luciano Cattani and Myriam Van de Velde as speakers, this symposium will explore why some patients experience worsening asthma and COPD despite advances in treatment.

13:45 to 15:15

Room 3C

Co-chaired by patient representative Hilary Hodge, this clinical year in review session will explore the latest evidence on preventing lung disease, including environmental exposures, healthy lifestyles, vaccination and digital innovation.

15:30 to 17:00

Room 3C

Co-chaired by patient representative Hilary Hodge, this symposium and Congress chairs’ session will explore how precision medicine and collaborative research are transforming our understanding of airway diseases.

15:30 to 17:00

Room 3E

Co-chaired by incoming ELF Chair Phil Taverner and featuring outgoing ELF Chair Dimitris Kontopidis and patient representatives Károly Illy, Erika Kennington and Eliza Kompatsiari as speakers, this dedicated patient-focused symposium will explore successful partnerships between patients, healthcare professionals and researchers.

15:30 to 17:00

Room 3L

Featuring patient representative Zena Powell as a speaker, this symposium will explore opportunities to improve diagnosis, management and prevention of chronic wet cough.

08:30 to 10:00

Room 3D

Featuring a patient testimonial video from Irene Nevado, this symposium will explore innovative approaches to preventing and managing respiratory infections beyond traditional antibiotic therapies.

08:30 to 10:00

Room 3L

Featuring patient organisation representative Claire Allen as a speaker, this hot topics session will explore digital technologies and telemedicine approaches for sleep-disordered breathing.

10:15 to 11:45

Room 3E

Featuring ELF Patient Input team member Clare Williams as a speaker, this hot topic session will explore how patient organisations and advisory groups can strengthen care, education and research.

10:15 to 11:45

Room 3L

Featuring a patient testimonial video from Richard Muller, this symposium will explore the relationship between obstructive airway diseases and sleep-disordered breathing, with a particular focus on obstructive sleep apnoea.

10:15 to 11:00

Studio

Co-chaired by patient representative Carlos Pons and featuring patient representative Stefan Radut as a speaker, this patient-centred session will explore how social and environmental factors affect lung health outcomes.

11:15 to 12:00

Studio

Co-chaired by patient representative Carlos Pons, this deep dive discussion will explore how communication between patients, families and healthcare professionals evolves throughout life.

12:15 to 13:15

Room 3D

Featuring a patient testimonial video from Justine Hamaïde, this joint session will review key developments in bronchiectasis research and clinical care.

13:45 to 15:15

Room 3L

Featuring a patient testimonial video from Gregorio Gamez, this symposium will explore personalised approaches to COPD treatment and addressing inequalities in care.

13:45 to 15:15

Room 3D

Including patient representative Mikaela Odemyr as a speaker, this symposium will explore how sustainable healthcare, digital health and artificial intelligence (AI) can support better lung health.

13:45 to 15:15

Room 3E

Co-chaired by patient representative Linda Clephane and including patient representative Hilary Hodge as a speaker, this hot topic session will explore how patient experiences and real-world evidence can shape severe asthma care.

14:15 to 15:00

Studio

Including patient representative and incoming ELF Vice Chair Helen Parks as a speaker, this expert interview will explore how global lung health monitoring can help improve lung health and support better health outcomes worldwide. The session will share findings from the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) Lung Health Taskforce.

15:30 to 17:00

Room 3E

Co-chaired by patient representative Linda Clephane, this mini symposium will examine the burden of chronic cough throughout life and discuss opportunities to improve care.

15:45 to 17:00

Room 3H

Co-chaired by patient representative Eleni Stamouli, this oral presentation will showcase examples of successful collaboration between patients, researchers and healthcare professionals.

09:00 to 10:30

Room 3J

Co-chaired by patient representative and ELF Youth Group Chair Ed Powell and featuring patient representatives Elena Marti Barclay, Marleen Sorensen, Maksim Mironovas and Carlos Navarrete as speakers, this Wednesday special session will explore how young people can influence advocacy, research and the future of lung healthcare. This free event is open to the public, but advance registration is required.

09:00 to 11:00

Room 3I

Featuring patient representatives Liam Galvin and Hall Skaara as speakers, this Wednesday special session will examine how European collaboration can improve care for people living with rare respiratory diseases. This free event is open to the public, but advance registration is required.

09:15 to 12:30

Room 3K

Including patient representative Hilary Hodge as a speaker, this Wednesday special session will discuss transparency, consent and trust in the use of health data. This free event is open to the public, but advance registration is required.

10:00 to 10:45

Studio

Chaired by patient representative Lisa McNeil and featuring patient speakers Ron Flewett and Angeliki Souri, this patient-centred session will explore stigma associated with respiratory conditions and discuss ways to improve understanding and support.

10:30 to 12:30

Room 3M

Including incoming ELF Chair Phil Taverner as s speaker, this Wednesday special session will explore how advances in screening and diagnostics could transform respiratory health outcomes. This free event is open to the public, but advance registration is required.

11:15 to 12:45

Room 3I

Co-chaired by ELF Chair Dimitris Kontopidis and featuring patient representatives Natalia Maeva and Stefano Pavenello as speakers, this Wednesday special session will bring together patients and professionals to discuss transplantation, follow-up care and patient involvement. This free event is open to the public, but advance registration is required.