Alternative To A Sleep Clinic

Home-based sleep tests: An alternative to a Sleep Clinic

If you or your GP thinks you may have Sleep Apnoea, you may be referred to a sleep clinic. A sleep clinic is a healthcare facility that specialises in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. Sleep clinics offer various services, including sleep studies, consultations with sleep specialists, and treatments for sleep disorders. They often have specially trained staff who are knowledgeable about the latest techniques and treatments for sleep disorders. Sleep clinics can provide you with the necessary resources to help you get a better night‘s sleep.

Having a Sleep Apnoea test at a sleep clinic will require an overnight stay in an environment that will be totally different from your usual bedroom setting and require a different routine in the lead-up to going to sleep. Some people can find this unsettling, causing them to sleep less than they would at home. For this reason, some prefer to carry out a sleep test at home rather than in a clinical setting to reduce the number of variables that could alter their result.

NHS Sleep Clinic

It is possible to have a sleep test with the NHS with a referral from your GP to an NHS sleep clinic near you. However, it is reported that Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) sufferers in the UK can wait up to two years to receive the treatment they require through the NHS. A report from the BBC in 2020 highlighted this issue. Read the full article here:- BBC: Up to two-year wait for sleep apnoea treatment

The delay can include waiting for an initial appointment at a hospital following a GP referral and then waiting again before seeing a sleep specialist. This can be compounded by waiting even longer for a sleep clinic to see you.

Testing for Sleep Apnoea

In the UK alone, an estimated two million people suffer from mild to severe Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). As well as heavy snoring, one of the major symptoms is fatigue due to sleep deprivation. This fatigue leads to a 6-fold increased risk of road traffic accidents due to poor concentration or from falling asleep at the wheel. The significant impact of Sleep Apnoea makes sleep testing crucial for diagnosing the disorder.

Signs of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea include:

• Fatigue
• Loud snoring
• Interruptions to sleep
• Poor concentration
• Increased irritability
• Morning headaches

The first step to understanding if you are at risk of having Sleep Apnoea is to complete our FREE OSA Risk Assessment. The risk test takes just 20 seconds to complete and assesses your chance of having Sleep Apnoea. If you are at risk, we advise you to participate in a further, more thorough overnight Sleep Study.
Free Sleep Apnoea Test – Questionnaire

Are there sleep studies that can be done at home?

Yes, there are sleep tests that can be done at home. Home sleep studies involve using a special device to measure your breathing, oxygen levels, and other vital signs while you sleep. Home sleep studies are less expensive and more convenient than sleep studies conducted in a Sleep Clinic.

In-Home Sleep Tests for a Faster Result

Anyone who suspects they may have the disorder should consult with their doctor as soon as possible. However, an overnight sleep study is the most common way to diagnose OSA. The In-Home Sleep Test offered by Intus Healthcare is one of the most comprehensive home testing diagnostic tests available and can offer a fast, confidential confirmation of Sleep Apnoea.

Our detailed In-Home Sleep Study uses the revolutionary WatchPAT diagnostic. This device provides accuracy comparable to polysomnography (PSG), which is used in sleep laboratories for in-depth sleep analysis but can be used easily and comfortably at home. Our sleep test is a great option if you’ve been looking for a private sleep clinic or would prefer not to be on the NHS sleep study waiting list.

The WatchPat device monitors your blood oxygen levels, heart rate, body position, body movements, snoring intensity, and, crucially, your Peripheral Arterial Tone – a key physiological signal that can indicate respiratory disturbances during sleep.

How The Sleep Test Works

Our Sleep Apnoea test requires just one night of sleep data to accurately determine the severity of your Sleep Apnoea or confirm that you do not have Sleep Apnoea. During the night of testing, you will wear the WatchPAT device, a small finger probe and a chest sensor. We require only 4 hours of sleep data; these do not have to be consecutive hours.

A sleep test is a reliable alternative to an NHS Sleep Clinic, and our NHS-trained sleep specialists review your data. Our sleep specialists will provide detailed results, and if it is determined that you have Sleep Apnoea, they can advise on suitable treatment options.

After completing your test, you will receive your results within two working days. Some of our customers have been able to start treatment as early as the day after receiving their results.

Why Choose a Private Sleep Test?

Many of our customers find themselves waiting too long for a sleep clinic referral and need a faster alternative. A sleep test provides just that and puts you one step closer to solving your sleeping problems.

All of our sleep test orders come with free next-day delivery, and we only share your results with you; we do not inform the DVLA – read more on Sleep Apnoea and driving.

The in-home sleep test is a highly convenient first step toward diagnosing and treating Obstructive Sleep Apnoea. You can order the test online and discreetly delivered to your door.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with us to speak with our friendly team.