Sleep apnoea · Private assessment · Home sleep testing
Private Sleep Apnoea Assessment
If you snore loudly, wake unrefreshed or have been told that you stop breathing in your sleep, you may be wondering whether you have obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and how quickly you can find out. A private assessment is one way to get answers without a long wait.
Symptoms of sleep apnoea
Sleep apnoea causes repeated narrowing or closure of the upper airway during sleep, fragmenting sleep and lowering oxygen levels. Common features include:
- Loud, habitual snoring, with pauses in breathing noticed by a partner
- Waking gasping, choking or with a dry mouth or headache
- Unrefreshing sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness
- Poor concentration, low mood or irritability
- Needing to pass urine several times a night
- High blood pressure that is difficult to control
Not everyone has all of these, and sleep apnoea in women is often under-recognised because symptoms can be more subtle, such as fatigue, insomnia or morning headaches.
How a private assessment works
The process begins with a consultation with Dr Manuel, a Consultant in Sleep and Respiratory Medicine. He will take a careful history, review any previous tests and medication, and decide which investigation, if any, is appropriate. No GP referral is needed, although a referral letter is welcome. Remote consultations are available throughout the UK, with face-to-face appointments at Nuffield Hereford and Nuffield Cheltenham.
Home sleep testing options
For many people, a sleep study can be done at home rather than in a hospital. A home test is worn during sleep and records breathing, oxygen levels and related measures. One option is SleepImage, a ring worn on the finger, which can be used over three nights and reports sleep quality and breathing-related measures beyond the apnoea-hypopnoea index alone. The most suitable test depends on your symptoms and history, and some people need a different or additional investigation, which will be explained to you.
What happens after diagnosis
Results are reviewed in the context of your symptoms and overall health, and you receive a written consultant letter setting out the findings and a clear management plan. Depending on the severity of your sleep apnoea and your circumstances, options may include CPAP therapy, a mandibular advancement device, positional or lifestyle measures, weight management, or treatment of coexisting conditions. If you already use CPAP and remain tired, a review of your treatment is also possible. With your consent, the letter is shared with your GP.
Why choose a private consultant?
NHS sleep services do excellent work but waiting times for referral, testing and follow-up can be long in many areas. Some people choose a private consultant because they want to be seen sooner, to have one consultant oversee their care from consultation to plan, or to obtain an independent opinion on an existing diagnosis. Others simply prefer the convenience of a remote appointment from home. If you have private medical insurance, please contact us before booking so we can discuss your cover.
Fees
- Remote consultation: £250
- Remote consultation + three-night SleepImage home assessment (combined package): £425. This package is remote only; face-to-face fees are separate.
The three-night SleepImage home assessment is also available on its own for £250.
Remote consultation £250, or remote consultation + three-night SleepImage assessment £425 (remote only; face-to-face fees are separate). Remote consultations are available throughout the UK.