Mike Morgan, a pivotal figure in UK respiratory healthcare, has died at the age of 75. For over three decades, he transformed the landscape of respiratory services in Leicester and beyond, championing the field at both local and national levels. His work ensured that respiratory medicine received the prominence it deserved within the NHS, culminating in its inclusion in the 2019 long-term health plan.
Early Challenges and Innovation
When Morgan began his career as a consultant respiratory physician at Glenfield Hospital in 1988, the specialty was severely underfunded and understaffed. Alongside two colleagues, he confronted the widespread impact of diseases like COPD, which caused debilitating breathlessness and contributed to a high mortality rate.
Morgan recognized the critical need for proactive treatment, particularly pulmonary rehabilitation. He and physiotherapist Sally Singh pioneered an “incremental shuttle walking test” to assess patient fitness. This led to the development of a comprehensive rehabilitation program combining exercise, lifestyle management, and disease education, documented in their influential 1998 publication, Practical Pulmonary Rehabilitation.
Overcoming Skepticism and Establishing Standards
Initially, Morgan’s advocacy for exercise therapy faced skepticism from some medical professionals. However, through rigorous national audit programs (now part of the National Respiratory Audit Programme) and evidence-based research, he proved its effectiveness. Pulmonary rehabilitation became a standard treatment across the UK and extended to low- and middle-income nations like India and Uganda.
Morgan’s impact extended beyond clinical practice. In 2000, he co-founded the Leicester Institute for Lung Health, bridging the gap between academic research and clinical application. The institute attracted over £100 million in funding, published over 700 papers, and grew into one of the world’s leading respiratory research centers, specializing in COPD and asthma.
National Leadership and Recognition
In 2016, Morgan became president of the British Thoracic Society, further solidifying his influence. He was awarded the society’s medal in 2019 for his lifetime contributions to respiratory medicine. His leadership ensured that respiratory diseases, historically overlooked, received increased attention and resources.
Personal Life and Legacy
Born in Ealing, West London, to Leslie and Georgina Morgan, Mike pursued medicine at Cambridge and University College London. He married Clare Derrington, an anesthesiologist, and had two sons, Charlie and Theo. Despite initial interest in geriatrics, he was inspired to specialize in respiratory medicine after working with Martin McNicol at Central Middlesex Hospital.
Morgan continued to practice until age 70, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, before retiring in 2022. He remained a lifelong rugby enthusiast and enjoyed sailing.
Mike Morgan’s work fundamentally reshaped respiratory care in the UK, transforming it from a neglected field into a well-recognized specialty with evidence-based treatments and a thriving research base. His legacy will continue to benefit patients for generations to come.
