We have been diagnosing and treating adult sleep conditions for over 20 years at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals. Our sleep and ventilation service is the largest in Europe.
Internationally recognised for excellence
Royal Brompton Hospital has been ranked 5th in the world for lung care by US Newsweek, the American weekly news magazine.
We’re experts in helping patients with their breathing while sleeping.
Helping you get a good night's sleep
Sleep is vital to our health and wellbeing. Yet up to 1 in 4 people in the UK have a sleep disorder. Unfortunately, this means that many experience excessive tiredness during the day, affecting their concentration, mood and work and family life. Importantly, some sleep disorders which disrupt breathing, such as sleep apnoea, can lead to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
Our consultants have an international reputation in advancing sleep medicine, particularly in sleep apnoea and domiciliary ventilation (providing breathing support at home). We offer investigations and treatments across the full spectrum of sleep disorders to help patients get the rest they need.
Advanced sleep studies
We offer a range of sleep studies at our state-of-the-art facilities to help with diagnosis, including:
- assessment of sleepiness (multiple sleep latency test, Osler wake test)
- detailed polysomnography studies
- home sleep studies
- respiratory sleep studies
- sleep-wake activity levels (actigraphy)
Our sleep expert, Dr Allie Hare, explains what happens during a sleep study.
Expert sleep care
We diagnose and treat all types of sleep conditions, including:
- circadian rhythm disorders (disruption of the body clock, such as from jet lag or shift work)
- idiopathic hypersomnia (long-term daytime sleepiness)
- insomnia (difficulty getting to and staying asleep)
- REM sleep behaviour disorder (nightmares and acting out dreams)
- restless leg syndrome (an overwhelming urge to move your legs)
- narcolepsy (a long-term brain condition that can prevent you from choosing when to sleep)
- nocturnal hypoventilation (breathing that is too low or shallow during sleep)
- parasomnias (sleep walking, talking, nightmares, sexsomnia)
- sleep apnoea (disrupted breathing during sleep)
- troublesome snoring
CBTi: Sleep therapy for insomnia
Insomnia is a type of sleep disorder which affects a person’s ability to fall asleep or stay asleep.
Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBTi) is recommended by the The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as the gold standard treatment for insomnia.
We are one of the few centres that offer a private CBTi programme. It can address sleep disturbances within 8 weeks, helping reduce sleep-related anxiety and behavioural sleep issues as well as aid relaxation for improved sleep quality.
Specialist non-invasive ventilation at home
Our advanced sleep medicine facilities enable our experts to diagnose and treat sleep disorders in patients with complex conditions affecting their breathing. These include cystic fibrosis, COPD, curvature of the spine and neuromuscular disorders (such as muscular dystrophy and motor neurone disease). These conditions can lead to under-breathing during sleep, leading to high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood (called ‘nocturnal hypoventilation’).
Our consultants pioneered the use of non-invasive ventilation in adults and children with nocturnal hypoventilation and now care for 1,600 patients with small portable ventilators at home. This treatment has revolutionised outcomes for these conditions including extending life expectancy, reducing hospital admissions and improving quality of life for patients.
Our sleep expert, Dr Allie Hare, explains how a CPAP machine works to help with sleep apnoea.
Treatments
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Domiciliary ventilation
Domiciliary (at home) ventilation is used to treat a range of common and complex neuromuscular, chest wall and respiratory conditions.
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Invasive ventilation weaning service
Our consultants, intensivists, therapists and specialist nurses offer a specialist invasive ventilation weaning service.
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Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia
Our cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBTi) programme can improve sleep disturbances.
Locations
Our experts in sleep medicine provide care at these locations:
Discover our experts in sleep medicine
Our sleep experts at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals are at the forefront of their field, using advanced techniques to diagnose conditions and providing the most effective treatments