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Sleep Services

We have seen a continued growth in demand for sleep services across the NHS, but the absence of a parallel increase in resources leaves many sleep and respiratory departments struggling to deliver services within the defined timescales. In December 2019, there were over 9,000 patients waiting for a sleep study (N.H.S. monthly diagnostics data 2019-20). 

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There is an ongoing and growing media interest in sleep disorders, and while the benefit of improved awareness of sleep disorders is welcomed, this will further increase demands on services going forward. Most departments are not adequately staffed, many are not properly equipped, and costly breaches of diagnostic waiting times are not uncommon. In some cases, studies are performed but remain unreported causing delays to initiation of therapy. 
Innovative solutions are being trialled in several centres. Integrated care pathways have been established in other specialities and sleep diagnostics are under evaluation for suitability of service delivery via new care pathways. Early outcomes are positive, with indications of improvements in service delivery costs and patient experience. It will be some time however before final outcomes are known. 

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Product

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While these novel approaches may improve service delivery in the future, the current situation remains challenging. Most departments face at least one speedbump – or bottleneck – in sleep diagnostics. 

S-Med Is responding to this challenge with the introduction of a range of services designed to support every department deliver first class sleep diagnostics to patients. We recognise that the bottlenecks will differ between departments, and we will provide flexible solutions that meet the needs of all. 

We can 

  • Place equipment for per-test usage or block contract purchase 

  • Provide analysis and reporting of studies including standalone reporting 

  • Agree location and management of equipment and consumables 

  • Manage logistics as required 

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We will provide the necessary training and support required to enable all new services 
Some examples of speedbumps and how we can help address them: 

Too few devices to keep up with demand

  • We will place devices on a fee per test basis                                                           Immediate improvement in throughput without capital outlay 

Too few devices and not enough qualified staff 

  •  We will place devices on a fee per test basis  

  •  We will analyse and report the studies                                                                     Immediate improvement in throughput without capital outlay/recruitment 

Not enough qualified staff and/or limited access to consultation rooms

  • We will place devices at a suitable location on a fee per test basis 

  • We will analyse and report the studies                                                                     Immediate improvement in throughput without capital outlay/recruitment 

  • We will manage the consumables 

  • We will provide all necessary training and support

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