The regional Sleep Service at Aintree University Hospital is the largest provider of sleep services in Cheshire and Merseyside.
We serve about 18,000 CPAP patients and this number is increasing by 3,000 patients per year. We receive about 6,000 referrals a year, of which about 5,000 referrals are for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) diagnosis.
We offer diagnostic services for sleep apnoea and provide continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment for patients in Merseyside.
For the wider Liverpool area and parts of Lancashire, we offer comprehensive diagnostic and management services for sleep-related breathing disorders and various other adult sleep disorders.
Our team consists of consultants specialising in Respiratory Medicine, Sleep Medicine, Neurology and Neuropsychiatry. The team also consists of sleep physiologists, sleep practitioners, sleep specialist nurses, and assistant technical officers.
We offer diagnosis and treatments for various sleep related symptoms such as snoring, pauses in breathing, choking, vivid dreams or nightmares, odd behaviours at night, restless legs, daytime sleepiness, trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, sleepwalking and sleep talking.
These are some of the conditions patients may be diagnosed with:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)
- Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome (OHS)
- Sleepwalking
- Sleep talking
- Sleep paralysis
- Narcolepsy
- Rapid Eye Movement (REM) disorders
- Circadian rhythm disorders
- Restless Legs Syndrome.
Our service was a finalist for the Patient Experience Network National Awards (PENNA) in 2023 for Team of the Year category.
More information
Referrals are received from GPs, health practitioners and hospital doctors from all over the North West.
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Aintree University Hospital
Address: Aintree University Hospital
Lower Lane
Fazakerley
Liverpool
L9 7ALFor maps and other information visit our Getting Here page for Aintree University Hospital
If you've been referred to our sleep service for potential sleep apnoea, we have a pathway designed to get you seen and treated as quickly as possible.
We'll contact you for a consultation, either in person or over the phone, where we will ask you questions to understand your sleep issues better. We will also arrange for you to have some blood tests.
If your sleep study indicates moderate to severe sleep apnoea, you will be invited to start CPAP therapy.
We offer Group CPAP sessions, meaning your initial setup will be done in a group setting. During this session, you'll receive information about sleep apnoea and what it means for you. Afterward, you will have a one-on-one meeting with a CPAP practitioner to fit your machine and mask.
If you prefer not to attend a group session, please let us know in advance. We do offer individual CPAP set ups for patients.
Our Group CPAP sessions have received positive feedback and have helped reduce waiting times for patients to start treatment.
Step 1: Applying the Respiratory Effort Snoring and Body Position sensor (RESBP)
- For men: trim thick chest hair, if needed
- Take the RESBP Sensor through the sleeve of your night shirt up to the neck opening
- Peel the white paper from the back of the sensor
- Stick the sensor to the center of your upper chest bone, just below the front of neck. Make sure the image on the RESBP sensor is upward facing.
- Secure the RESBP sensor with additional medical tape.
Step 2: Applying the WatchPAT device
- Strap the device to your non-dominant hand
- Close wrist strap (not too tightly).
Step 3: Applying the finger probe
- Probe can be worn on any finger, except the thumb. If you have large fingers, the pinky is recommended.
- Insert the finger into the probe until you feel the end. The sticker marked TOP should be on the top of your finger (Above the nail).
- Press the tip of the probe against a hard surface (i.e. table, leg.)
- Pull and remove the TOP tab completely out of the probe.
Step 4: Turning on the device
- Press firmly on the power button until the display lights up. Next screen "Please wait testing..." After a few seconds a 'Good night!' message will appear. The display will turn off after a short period.
- You are now ready to go to sleep
- In the case your finger is not inside the probe, an error appears instructing you to insert the finger. Wait till the device turns off, insert finger and try again.
Step 5: During the night
- Anytime you press on the button, the display will light up for a minute
- If you need to get up during the night, do not remove the device or sensors
- Do not press any buttons if you need to get up during the night
- If using the bathroom, do not get the WatchPAT wet.
- Should you encounter unbearable discomfort, remove the device and call the help desk
Step 6: Next morning
When you wake up...
- Device will turn off automatically. There is no off button.
- Remove the finger probe and the RESBP sensor
- Take off from your wrist
- Insert all parts back into the carrying case.
How long will it take for the appointment?
All referrals are reviewed by the sleep team. You should normally hear from us in the next four to six weeks about any tests you may need.
Will I see a doctor?
The Liverpool sleep service is a team with many different specialists. All referrals are reviewed by consultant sleep specialists. To make sure patients are diagnosed and treated promptly, you may be seen by different members of the sleep team (as recommended by NHS England). This means you may not always need to be seen by a doctor.
Who are the different members of the sleep team?
- Sleep consultants – doctors who review patients with all sleep disorders. The consultants may have different specialist knowledge including respiratory medicine, neurology and neuropsychiatry.
- Sleep specialist nurses – our sleep specialist nurses look after patients with complex sleep apnoea, obesity hypoventilation and other sleep disorders like narcolepsy
- Sleep physiologists – sleep physiologists help support clinical staff in their work with patients. Their work is wide ranging and can include laboratory work, testing, research, management, and teaching. They help with assessments of polysomnography and sleep latency tests to diagnose complex sleep disorders.
- Sleep practitioner - they carry out analysis of a wide range of diagnostic tests that help us get to a diagnosis for the patients. They also initiate CPAP therapy and help support patients with treatments and adjustment of the device.
- Associate and assistant practitioners (ATOs): our ATOs work with patients every day to deliver sleep studies and assessments referred to the service. They help support patients with CPAP therapy and help patients get their required consumables or replacement CPAP machines.
What do I do if I am struggling to use CPAP?
Contact the sleep lab and let us know. You can contact the lab by email: sleep.
How long does it take for me to be seen in the sleep service after GP referral?
Our current wait time to be seen by someone in the sleep service is 6 weeks. This may be someone asking questions about your symptoms, or to have the initial test to look at your sleep.
Will I have to pay for the CPAP equipment?
No, all equipment is provided by the sleep lab.
I have been seen in the sleep service in the past, but now my symptoms are getting worse
If you are still under the sleep service – then contact the lab by email: sleep.
I have lost weight, and I am now sleeping better – do I still need CPAP?
If you are wondering whether your sleep apnoea is much better after losing weight – contact us and let us know. We can arrange repeat sleep studies if appropriate.
Can I drive and do I need to tell the DVLA?
Detailed DVLA Guidance for UK Drivers with Sleep Apnoea (sleep-apnoea-trust.org).
Do you have any advice for treating insomnia symptoms?
As a sleep service we can organise tests to look for sleep disorders causing insomnia symptoms. We are not able to provide cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT-i).
You may want to try the following websites/apps for online CBT-i:
To help with thoughts of anxiety try either the Headspace or Calm apps. Books that may also be helpful are:
- How to Beat Insomnia and Sleep problems One Step at a Time by Kirstie Anderson
- The One-Week Insomnia cure by Jason Ellis.
Do you have any other links to support groups/charities and patient information?
I use a magnet in my CPAP mask
If you use a mask with magnets, please visit the ResMed website for updated information