Sleep disorder clinic

Helping you get a restful night’s sleep

There are many types of sleep disorders, from insomnia and troublesome snoring, to sleep apnoea, narcolepsy and parasomnias. 

Lack of sleep not only adversely affects daytime activities due to trouble concentrating, low mood and irritability, but it can also damage your health. Sleep apnoea, for example, can increase the risk of high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, stroke and heart attacks. 

Our sleep specialists at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals have been diagnosing and treating sleep disorders in adults for over 20 years. We host Europe’s largest service dedicated to sleep and ventilation, and Royal Brompton is internationally ranked among the top hospitals for lung care. 

Which sleep disorders do we treat?

Our experts treat all sleep disorders and can create tailored programmes of care to reduce symptoms and significantly improve quality of life. 

The conditions we treat include: 

• circadian disorders – disruption of the body clock (such as from jet lag or shift work) 
• idiopathic hypersomnia – chronic excessive daytime sleepiness 
• insomnia – difficulties with sleep initiation and maintenance (including CBTi therapy) 
• narcolepsy – where a person suddenly falls asleep at inappropriate times 
• parasomnias – sleep walking, talking, nightmares, or sexsomnia 
• REM sleep behaviour disorder – nightmares and acting out dreams 
• restless leg syndrome – jumpy, painful legs 
• sleep apnoea – interrupted breathing during sleep 
• troublesome snoring 

The first step in your care with us will be a sleep assessment with one of our world-leading sleep experts. 

If you are worried that you may have a sleep disorder and wish to speak to one of our sleep specialists, contact our team to arrange an appointment at a time that’s convenient for you.  

What happens at a sleep assessment? 

As part of your assessment, you will attend an initial appointment with one of our consultants to confirm your diagnosis and review all options for treatment. 

Your consultant may recommend that you undergo a sleep study (see below for details). This will help us to better understand your condition and how it affects your sleeping patterns.

What happens during a sleep study?

The most common kind of sleep study is called a ‘screening study’. During this study, our sleep specialists make overnight recordings of: 

• your oxygen levels (by attaching a small clip to your finger) 
• your breathing (by taping a small sensor between your nose and upper lip) 
• the movements of your chest and abdomen (velcro straps are used to hold small sensors in place) 

Our team of sleep specialists will attach the sensors to you before 10pm, and then you can go to sleep whenever you wish. While you are asleep, the sensors will send information to a computer about your breathing patterns and oxygen levels. If you have a chest problem, we will record your oxygen level using a finger clip and your carbon dioxide level using a sensor pad strapped to your forearm. 

All studies are completely painless and most people are able to enjoy a normal night’s sleep. If you visit our sleep clinic for your sleep study, a nurse will be on hand during your sleep study. (Please note that this is based on a typical sleep study and it may vary for individual circumstances.) 

Home sleep study 

If you would like to have a sleep study at home, this is now an option for most patients. Our team will give you the necessary medical equipment and detailed instructions to track your blood oxygen levels, airflow, breathing patterns and heart rate at home. We will then review your recordings and make an assessment when the medical devices are brought or sent back to us with your data recorded. 

Some people find that they are more comfortable with a home sleep study as it allows them to relax in surroundings familiar to them, and it can therefore provide a very accurate picture of their sleep habits. 

If you are looking for a fast and accurate diagnosis for a sleep disorder, get in touch with our customer service team who can arrange an appointment with one of our sleep specialists.  

Pricing 

An initial assessment with one of our sleep consultants to determine care, diagnosis and treatment starts from £290. Please note, additional treatment and equipment costs vary.

Referrals to our sleep disorder clinic 

We accept referrals from: 

• general practitioners 
• self-referrals where the patient is self-funding, covered by private medical insurance or sponsored by their embassy 

Contact our team to learn more about our sleep studies and pricing.