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Where are the UK's Sleep Clinics?

  • Writer: Gabriella Romano BA MSc PsyD
    Gabriella Romano BA MSc PsyD
  • Nov 2
  • 5 min read

Comprehensive Guide to National Children's and Adult Sleep Services in the UK

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Understanding Sleep Disorders in Children and Adults


Sleep disorders can significantly impact the quality of life for individuals of all ages. From children struggling with sleep issues to adults facing complex neurological conditions, the need for specialised sleep services is paramount. This guide provides an overview of the leading sleep services available across the UK, focusing on both children's and adult's needs.


National Children's Sleep Services


1. Evelina London Children's Sleep Medicine Service, Greater London

  • Location: Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London

  • Status: Paediatric tertiary referral service, accepting referrals only from NHS consultant paediatricians in secondary care Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals UCLH

  • Scope: One of the few comprehensive children's sleep centres in the UK, established in 2000

  • Age range: Newborns to 16 years

  • Website: Evelina London Sleep Medicine


2. Sheffield Children's Sleep Service, North UK

  • Location: Sheffield Children's Hospital

  • Status: Specialist centre for children's sleep medicine, one of the largest in the UK

  • Age range: 1 to 16 years

  • Services: Comprehensive sleep disorders, narcolepsy service, sleep studies

  • Website: Sheffield Children's Sleep Service


3. Southampton Children's Sleep Disorder Service, South West UK

National Adult Sleep Services


1. National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN) Sleep Service, London

  • Location: Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG

  • Status: Part of UCLH NHS Foundation Trust - UK's largest dedicated neurological hospital

  • Specialties: Neurological sleep disorders such as narcolepsy, nocturnal seizures, periodic limb movements, and parasomnias.

  • Website: NHNN Sleep Service


2. Guy's and St Thomas' Sleep Disorders Centre, Greater London

  • Location: Guy's Hospital, 3rd Floor, Nuffield House, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT

  • Services: NHS and private referrals, comprehensive sleep disorder assessment and treatment

  • Website: Guy's and St Thomas' Sleep Disorders Centre


3. Manchester Sleep Service (Wythenshawe Hospital), North West UK

4. Queen Victoria Hospital Sleep Disorder Centre, South East UK

5. Oxford Non-respiratory Sleep Disorders Service, West UK

Sleep Services at University College London Hospitals (UCLH), Greater London


UCLH's sleep services represent one of the most comprehensive sleep medicine programs in the UK. They offer everything from basic sleep apnoea management to complex neurological sleep disorders across multiple specialist locations.


1. Sleep Neurology Service (UCLH)

  • Location: National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Box 29, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG

  • Website: UCLH Sleep Neurology Service

  • Specialties: Neurological sleep disorders including:

  - Narcolepsy

  - Nocturnal seizures

  - Periodic limb movements of sleep

  - Non-REM and REM-parasomnias

  - Sleep disorders associated with neurological disease such as epilepsy, dementia, and neurodegenerative conditions

  • Services:

  - Outpatient clinics

  - In-patient overnight sleep studies (polysomnography)

  - Daytime tests for evaluation of excessive somnolence

  - Home studies using Actigraphy

  - Multiple Sleep Latency Tests

  - Maintenance of Wakefulness Test


2. Sleep Respiratory Service (UCLH)

  - Ventilatory disorders during sleep

  - Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome

  - Sleep disordered breathing

  - Assessment of respiratory failure

  • Services:

  - Home sleep equipment screening

  - Dedicated sleep study beds

  - CPAP treatment for confirmed obstructive sleep apnoea

  - Multidisciplinary links with bariatric services and ENT


3. Snoring and Sleep Disorder Clinic (UCLH)

  - Out-patient consultation including flexible endoscopy to assess upper airway collapse

  - Multidisciplinary team involvement for treatment planning

  - Diagnostic Services:

    - WatchPat Sleep Studies (home-based, COVID-safe)

    - NoxT3 Sleep Studies (advanced home technology)

    - In-Hospital Polysomnography

  - Treatment Options:

    - CPAP therapy

    - Nasal septal surgery

    - Soft palate and tongue surgery using laser and radiofrequency

    - Transoral robotic surgery

    - Mandibular advancement splints


4. Insomnia and Behavioural Sleep Medicine Clinic (UCLH)

  - Insomnia

  - Nightmares

  - Sleep paralysis

  - Restless legs syndrome

  - Circadian rhythm disorders

  • Treatment: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) as first-line treatment, usually delivered in small groups

  • Referrals: Accepts referrals from GPs, secondary and tertiary-level services


Key Features of UCLH Sleep Services

  1. Multidisciplinary Approach: Close multidisciplinary working with various allied specialties within UCLH, including Respiratory/Thoracic Medicine, Neurology, and Integrated Medicine, representing the largest sleep service in Europe.

  2. Comprehensive Coverage: Services span from basic sleep apnoea treatment to complex neurological sleep disorders.

  3. Advanced Technology: State-of-the-art diagnostic equipment including home sleep studies and advanced polysomnography.

  4. Surgical Options: Most experience in surgical treatment options for sleep-disordered breathing than any other centre in the country.

  5. Research Integration: Close links with UCL and active research programs.

  6. Referral System: All GP referrals submitted via the NHS E-Referral System (ERS).


Referral Guidelines

  • Sleep Neurology: Neurological sleep disorders

  • Sleep Respiratory: Sleep apnoea and breathing disorders

  • ENT Clinic: Snoring and surgical treatments

  • Insomnia Clinic: Primary insomnia and behavioural sleep issues


Specialised National Services


Royal Brompton Hospital Children's Sleep and Ventilation Unit

Key Features of UK National Sleep Clinics

  1. Tertiary referral status: These centres accept complex cases from across the UK.

  2. Specialised expertise: Focus on rare and complex sleep disorders.

  3. Research active: Many are involved in cutting-edge sleep research.

  4. Multidisciplinary teams: Include neurologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and sleep physiologists.

  5. National coverage: Serve patients from across the UK, not just local areas.

  6. Transition services: Some provide seamless transition from paediatric to adult services.


Understanding the available sleep services is crucial for those affected by sleep disorders. Whether it's for a child struggling to sleep or an adult facing complex issues, these specialised centres offer the support and treatment needed for better sleep health.


Do get in touch if anything needs amending by writing to me via the website Contact Page.


Gabriella

 
 
 

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