About Miles Austin

Miles Austin brings a lived experience perspective shaped by recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax and complex surgical intervention. Having experienced more than a dozen episodes since the age of 18, he has navigated repeated emergency admissions, major lung surgery and ongoing Respiratory health challenges.

Experience Across Care Pathways

Miles has undergone pleurectomy surgery on both lungs, with one procedure delivered through the NHS and the other privately. This gives him a rare, first hand comparison of care pathways, clinical communication and patient experience across different healthcare settings.

His experience extends beyond acute intervention to include long term neuropathic pain following surgery, providing insight into recovery, follow up care and the lasting impact of treatment decisions.

Insight into Patient Experience and Continuity of Care

Miles offers a clear perspective on the realities of navigating Respiratory care over time, including uncertainty, continuity of care and coordination between services. His experience highlights how patients move between acute, surgical and follow up pathways, and where gaps in communication and support can occur.

He brings practical insight into how clinical decisions are experienced from the patient side, particularly in relation to risk, recovery and long term quality of life.

What Miles Brings to The Respiratory Network

At The Respiratory Network, Miles brings a rare comparative patient perspective on how Respiratory pathways are experienced across different care models. He offers insight into how services can improve communication, continuity and long term support, ensuring that patient experience is considered alongside clinical and operational decision making.