NHS Patients

Q: Step 1: Initial GP Consultation

Patient Visit: The patient should book an appointment with their GP to discuss their sleep issues. Common concerns that might warrant a referral include sleep apnoea, insomnia, restless legs syndrome, or other sleep disorders. Evaluation: The GP will assess the patient’s symptoms, medical history, and any other relevant factors. They may ask the patient to keep a sleep diary or complete a sleep questionnaire which can be provided by The Sleep and Health Clinic. Initial Interventions: Sometimes, the GP may suggest initial treatments or lifestyle changes before considering a referral. This could include advice on sleep hygiene, stress management, or possibly prescribing medication.

Q: Step 2: Referral Process

Decision to Refer: If the GP determines that the patient needs specialist care, they can refer the patient to a sleep clinic. This could be for further testing, such as a sleep study (polysomnography), or for specialised treatment. Choosing a Sleep Clinic: Under NHS Choices, patients can have input on where they are referred. The GP will discuss options with the patient, considering factors like location, waiting times, and the specific services offered by different clinics. Referral Documentation: The GP will complete the necessary referral documentation, which may be electronic or paper-based. This documentation will include a summary of the patient’s symptoms, medical history, and any previous treatments or tests related to their sleep issues.

Q: Step 3: After Referral

Appointment Scheduling: After the referral is made, the Sleep and Health Clinic will contact the patient to schedule an appointment. The patient might be placed on a waiting list depending on the clinic’s capacity. Sleep and Health Clinic Appointment: At the clinic, the patient will undergo further assessment, which may include overnight sleep studies, consultations with sleep specialists, and other diagnostic tests. Follow-Up: Based on the findings, the sleep clinic will recommend treatment options, which might involve CPAP therapy for sleep apnoea, medication, cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), or other interventions. Follow-up care may be provided by The Sleep and Health Clinic or the GP, depending on the treatment plan.

Other referral information

The Sleep and Health Clinic service is forward thinking and we work hard to provide the latest treatment and diagnostic options for our patients. Our personnel have worked closely with national authorities to develop the new NICE guidelines, which finally include guidance for departments across the NHS to provide surgical care for patients with sleep apnoea.

We also accept tertiary and quaternary referrals from other services. Please send referrals either by post or email to the contact details above.

Referring a patient to The Sleep and Health Clinic under the NHS involves several steps, typically starting with the patient visiting their GP. Here’s a guide on how this process usually works:

Step 1: Initial GP Consultation

Patient Visit: The patient should book an appointment with their GP to discuss their sleep issues. Common concerns that might warrant a referral include sleep apnoea, insomnia, restless legs syndrome, or other sleep disorders.
Evaluation: The GP will assess the patient’s symptoms, medical history, and any other relevant factors. They may ask the patient to keep a sleep diary or complete a sleep questionnaire which can be provided by The Sleep and Health Clinic.
Initial Interventions: Sometimes, the GP may suggest initial treatments or lifestyle changes before considering a referral. This could include advice on sleep hygiene, stress management, or possibly prescribing medication.

Step 2: Referral Process

Decision to Refer: If the GP determines that the patient needs specialist care, they can refer the patient to a sleep clinic. This could be for further testing, such as a sleep study (polysomnography), or for specialised treatment.
Choosing a Sleep Clinic: Under NHS Choices, patients can have input on where they are referred. The GP will discuss options with the patient, considering factors like location, waiting times, and the specific services offered by different clinics.
Referral Documentation: The GP will complete the necessary referral documentation, which may be electronic or paper-based. This documentation will include a summary of the patient’s symptoms, medical history, and any previous treatments or tests related to their sleep issues.

Step 3: After Referral

Appointment Scheduling: After the referral is made, the Sleep and Health Clinic will contact the patient to schedule an appointment. The patient might be placed on a waiting list depending on the clinic’s capacity.
Sleep and Health Clinic Appointment: At the clinic, the patient will undergo further assessment, which may include overnight sleep studies, consultations with sleep specialists, and other diagnostic tests.
Follow-Up: Based on the findings, the sleep clinic will recommend treatment options, which might involve CPAP therapy for sleep apnoea, medication, cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), or other interventions. Follow-up care may be provided by The Sleep and Health Clinic or the GP, depending on the treatment plan.

Tips for Patients:

Preparation: Encourage the patient to keep a detailed sleep diary and note any specific sleep-related issues before their GP appointment.
Choice and Rights: Patients have the right to choose where they receive treatment under the NHS, so they should discuss options with their GP.
Follow Up: Patients should follow up with their GP if they do not hear back from The Sleep and Health Clinic within a reasonable time after the referral is made.

This pathway ensures that patients receive the appropriate specialist care for their sleep disorders through the NHS.

If need send the link or print out of this page to your GP or referrer. We have seen over 700 NHS patients over the last few years.