The sleep centre offers specialist diagnostic tests and treatments to people with a great range of sleep disorders referred from around the UK. There are several sleep clinics held at the centre each week with a multidisciplinary input.
Referrals are received from GPs and hospital doctors from all over the UK.
Over 10,000 patients with obstructive sleep apnoeas (OSAs) are currently treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) systems, and the centre cares for more than 300 patients with narcolepsy and large numbers with unusual behaviours during sleep - please see symptoms and conditions (right or below).
About our local sleep services
The RSSC’s local sleep service has proven to be successful with full Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) support. It aims to:
- Provide a specialist opinion about OSA and other sleep disorders close to the point of referral
- Carry out sleep studies in the patient’s own home
- Provide CPAP in a timely fashion where clinically indicated
- Arrange local follow-up to support the patient and maintain their equipment so as to maximise the benefits and compliance
- Be a gateway to our inpatient services, complex sleep studies and advanced respiratory support as required
Our aim is to make the expertise of the RSSC accessible to a wide population outside the hospital setting. Our experienced staff travel to local sleep clinics. The team includes specialist consultant physicians and senior nurses. If screening sleep studies are required they are performed in the patient's own home with the results available in the clinic. Often the team makes recommendations that can be taken forward by the GP, but some patients need to attend the RSSC for a more comprehensive sleep study or to start CPAP treatment.
Local sleep clinics are available in Swaffham, Thetford, Stowmarket, Norwich, Bromham, Harlow, and Stevenage and have been running for years with enthusiastic support from patients and referring clinicians. Audit has confirmed excellent outcomes, high levels of patient satisfaction and a significant reduction in travel requirements.