Skip to main content
BBC NEWS / NORTH WEST WALES
Graphics VersionBBC Sport Home
News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
UK Contents:  England | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales | UK Politics | Magazine

Thursday, 11 September, 2003, 05:44 GMT 06:44 UK

Cash problems hit sleep unit

Sleep generic People in north Wales who suffer from serious sleeping problems face a long wait before they can be treated.

The unit which helps patients with sleep apnoea - a condition which can cause sufferers to stop breathing for up to a minute when airflow to the lungs is restricted during sleep - is facing financial problems.

The department in Ysbyty Gwynedd was set up in 1995 for a small number of patients.

Over the last eight years demand for the services have increased, but funding levels have remained the same.

About 150 adults and children are being monitored and treated. Many have to sleep connected to machines which keep their throats open.

Ysbyty Gwynedd

New patients have been told they will have to wait for treatment based on clinical need as determined by the consultant.

Gwynedd health board has said it is waiting the outcome of a review by Health Commission Wales, the body responsible for planning and commissioning specialist NHS services across Wales.

The board said it hoped the report would provide clear direction for all patients in Wales suffering from the consequences of sleep apnoea and other sleep disorders.

In a statement to BBC Wales on Thursday, chief executive Grace Lewis-Parry said the health board was awaiting the outcome of a UK-wide review of demands for the service.

"It is hoped this will provide clear direction for all patients in Wales suffering from the consequences of sleep apnoea and other sleep disorders," she said.

Sleep apnoea affects about 1% of middle-aged men in the UK.

It is linked with an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and adult-onset diabetes.



E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:
Sleep disorder 'damages brain' (04 Sep 03  |  Health )
Brain chemistry link to sleep disorders (08 Jul 03  |  Health )
Sleep disorders costing millions (25 Jun 03  |  Health )
Anti-depressant helps sleep disorder (04 Jun 03  |  Health )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Sleep and rest
Associated Professional Sleep Societies
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC NEWS: 

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
UK Contents:  England | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales | UK Politics | Magazine

NewsWatch | Notes | Contact us | About BBC News | Profiles | History

^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©