Sleep centre appointments

An assessment of your child will be made during your appointment. This will include taking a detailed history of your child's health and circumstances, with particular attention paid to the sleep problems they are experiencing.

At the end of the appointment, we'll discuss our impression of your child's sleep problems and make recommendations for tests and treatment if appropriate.

After your appointment, we'll send a detailed letter to the referring doctor, usually within a month.

We'll also send a copy of this letter to you, your child’s GP, and any other doctors or professionals involved in your child's care. This may include your child’s school (with your consent).

We will often give you written information to take away with you after your appointment, with general information about children’s sleep but also with information specific to your child.

We may recommend further tests and investigations for your child. These are usually ‘sleep studies’, carried out on a separate date within the next four to six weeks, but may also include blood tests or x-rays.

A small number of children may be recommended to have other investigations such as MRI, EEG or lumbar puncture.

Recommended treatment usually includes behavioural advice. This is because good routine and habits are key to the management of sleep problems in children. We will talk to you about this during your appointment, but may also refer you to local support services or our advanced sleep workshop.

Other recommendations for treatment, depending on the problem identified, may include a referral for consideration of surgery (eg adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnoea), weight loss, medication or use of equipment to support severely abnormal breathing in sleep (‘non-invasive ventilation’/CPAP or BiPAP). 

Where possible, most children are managed without medication for sleep problems. Where this is recommended, this information will usually be sent to the referring doctor and they will be asked to prescribe the medication if they agree.

In a small number of circumstances, treatment with medication may be recommended and started on the same day. In this case, a small initial supply of medication will be provided from our hospital pharmacy.

If follow-up appointments are offered, these are usually shorter. Follow-up appointments are often with parents/carers alone, or by telephone if this is more convenient.