Lung Function and Sleep Services

The Lung Function and Sleep Service provides a comprehensive range of diagnostic tests and treatments for adult patients with symptoms that may indicate a respiratory or sleep-related condition. Our services assess breathing at rest, during exercise, and during sleep.

Across NUH, we perform approximately 35,000 investigations each year for both outpatients and inpatients, making us one of the busiest services of this kind in Europe.

We see 7,000 new patients every year.

We are actively involved in the training of student clinical physiologists and scientists. With your consent, a student may perform or observe your test under supervision, or you may be invited to contribute to service-related research.

Clinics and Specialties (City Campus & QMC)

We provide the following investigations:

  • Lung function tests
  • Exercise tests
  • Oxygen assessments
  • Sleep investigations
  • Bronchial Challenge testing
  • Hypoxic challenge testing
  • Respiratory muscle testing
  • Blood gas analysis

We also offer the following treatments and services:

  • CPAP therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea
  • Home ventilation using Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV)
  • Home oxygen assessment and treatment

Our Team (City Campus & QMC)

There are four main staff groups working within the Lung Function and Sleep Service:

Administrators

  • Book appointments and manage patient enquiries

Assistant Respiratory Physiologists

  • Trained to national standards
  • Perform routine lung function tests

Respiratory Physiologists

(including senior and chief physiologists)

  • Graduate
  • Perform routine and advanced lung function tests, sleep investigations, and treatments
  • Assess and educate patients on oxygen therapy Assessment by Physiologist
  • Provide inpatient and outpatient reviews and follow-up

Clinical Scientists

  • Postgraduate-qualified professionals
  • Assess patients and contribute to treatments, research, and service development

Sleep Disorders Service

Based at Queen’s Medical Centre

Our Sleep Disorders Service, located at both sites, is one of the longest-established sleep services in the UK. We diagnose and manage the full range of adult sleep disorders.

We offer both home-based and inpatient investigations. While most patients are assessed at home using portable monitoring equipment, more complex cases may require admission to our dedicated sleep laboratory for overnight and daytime testing.

Conditions We Diagnose and Treat

Many patients are referred due to severe snoring, often associated with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). Untreated OSA can cause excessive daytime sleepiness and increase the risk of:

·         High blood pressure

·         Stroke

·         Heart disease

We also assess and manage:

·         Narcolepsy and other causes of excessive sleepiness

·         Restless Legs Syndrome

·         Insomnia

·         Circadian rhythm disorders

·         Parasomnias (e.g. sleepwalking, talking, shouting, or acting out dreams)

Symptoms of Sleep Disorders

You may be referred to our service if you experience:

  • Unrefreshing sleep or excessive daytime sleepiness
  • Loud snoring or pauses in breathing during sleep
  • Unusual or disruptive sleep behaviours
  • Difficulty falling or staying asleep
  • Repetitive leg movements or twitching during sleep

If you have these symptoms, please discuss them with your GP, who can arrange a referral.

Common Sleep Conditions Seen at City and QMC

  • Sleep apnoea and other sleep-disordered breathing
  • Narcolepsy and hypersomnia (QMC by Neurology team)
  • Restless Legs Syndrome
  • Circadian rhythm disorders (including delayed sleep phase disorder)

We are happy to accept referrals for any sleep-related condition.

Due to commissioning of our services, we are not able to provide therapy insomnia.

Sleep Investigations (both site)

Home Sleep Studies

Nox Study – Detailed sleep study.
·         Equipment collected from clinic

·         Worn overnight at home and returned the next day

Overnight oximetry: basic sleep study

·         Equipment collected from clinic

·         Worn overnight at home and returned the next day

Not all tests are required for every patient; investigations are tailored to individual symptoms.

New Referrals
Referrals are usually made by your GP via electronic referral
We also accept referrals from hospital specialists nationwide
Complex cases may be referred from other sleep services
We do not routinely accept referrals for inpatient
Before your first consultant appointment, you will be asked to complete a home sleep study. Results are then discussed during your consultation, which may be:

·         Telephone-based, or

·         Face-to-face outpatient appointment

 

CPAP Treatment (both site)

We support over approximately 8,000 patients using CPAP therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea.

·         All CPAP machines are remotely monitored

·         Follow-up appointments are usually conducted by telephone

·         Face-to-face reviews can be arranged if needed

CPAP Helpline

·         Email and telephone support available Monday to Friday 09:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00hr

·         If your call is not answered, please leave a message or send an email and the team will respond within 48hrs.

The Sleep Service Team (both site)

Our multidisciplinary team includes:

  • Consultant physicians specialising in sleep and ventilation
  • Clinical physiologists
  • Administrative and secretarial staff

Key contact details

QMC
Lung Function and NIV services, B Floor, Derby Road, Nottingham
NG7 2UH

Telephone 0115 924 9924 ex 78676

QMC Sleep Services

Clinic 2, B Floor, Derby Road, Nottingham. NG7 2UH

Telephone 0115 924 9924 ex 78621

City Hospital Campus

Lung Function, sleep and NIV services on 1st Floor, North Corridor, Hucknall Road, Nottingham. NG5 1PB

Telephone 0115 924 9924 ex 78991

Email: Nuhnt.nottinghamsleepcentre@nhs.net 

Useful Links

Advice and support for snoring
http://www.britishsnoring.co.uk/

Sleep tests and snoring causes:
https://britishsnoring.co.uk/sleep-tests/

Health conditions and driving:
https://www.gov.uk/health-conditions-and-driving

Narcolepsy information:
http://www.narcolepsy.org.uk/

Restless Legs Syndrome:
http://www.rls.org/

Sleep apnoea

Sleep apnoea - NHS

Sleep Apnoea – Other Support Groups

Sleep Apnoea Other Support Groups

Treatments for OSA

Treatments for OSA | Asthma + Lung UK

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) | Asthma + Lung UK