Sleep breathing disorders – Colchester Hospital service

Colchester Hospital sleep breathing disorders service

The service has been running since 2013 and has more than 2,500 patients on treatment for sleep breathing disorders. This number continues to increase as the demand for services increase.

Please note that the department no longer offers drop-in appointments for any sleep related queries. Only patients with pre-booked appointments will be seen.

Out of hours you should contact NHS 111 for urgent advice or 999 for emergencies.

Your sleep study referral

• Your GP or a hospital consultant refers you to us for a diagnostic sleep study
• We accept the referral
• You book your appointment via ‘Choose and Book’ system or by contacting the Sleep Secretary
• You have a diagnostic Sleep Study appointment.

Treatment options

If you are a candidate for CPAP treatment you will have an appointment arranged through our secretary to collect the CPAP equipment.

If you are a candidate for another type of treatment this will be discussed with you during the consultant’s telephone clinic.

If you have a requirement for complex ventilation or neurological sleep disturbances, you may be referred to a specialist respiratory/sleep service for the treatment of your condition. This will be discussed with you if this is the case.

CPAP treatment

Video demonstrating how to set up the CPAP machine (The video opens in a new window which takes you to YouTube where accessibility controls may not be supported)

AIRVIEW remote data analysis

Airview is a system that allows our sleep technicians at the hospital to remotely view data from your CPAP machine. We are able to assess any problems you may have with your CPAP machine and adjust settings if needed. This means we can do most of our work via the telephone. Please do not hesitate to contact the sleep technicians if you are struggling with using your CPAP machine.

CPAP consumables

For the annual renewal of CPAP consumables (Masks, tubes, filters, or humidification chambers) please contact 01206 742 179.  You will need to provide the make, model and size of mask needed or full details of any other equipment required.