The Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals Snoring and Sleep Disorder Clinic, a cornerstone of University College London Hospitals (UCLH), stands as a national and international multidisciplinary center of excellence for the diagnosis and treatment of sleep and snoring disorders. Situated in the heart of London, the clinic has earned a distinguished reputation for its comprehensive and patient-centric approach to care. It is recognized as the largest sleep service in Europe, a testament to its extensive expertise and the sheer volume of patients it serves. The clinic's mission is to provide world-class, evidence-based care for patients suffering from a wide spectrum of sleep-related breathing disorders, from simple snoring to complex cases of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). What truly sets the clinic apart is its deeply integrated multidisciplinary team. Specialists from various fields, including Respiratory/Thoracic Medicine, Neurology, and Integrated Medicine, collaborate closely to ensure that each patient receives a holistic and personalized treatment plan. This collaborative ethos fosters a unique environment where complex cases are reviewed from multiple perspectives, leading to more effective and nuanced treatment strategies. The clinic’s approach to patient care is characterized by a thorough diagnostic process, which includes a range of state-of-the-art assessments.
These include home sleep studies, sleep assessments using actigraphy and sleep diaries, and hospital-based full polysomnography that adheres to the rigorous standards of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). Furthermore, the clinic utilizes advanced techniques such as flexible endoscopy and drug-induced sleep nasendoscopy (DISE) to precisely identify the site and pattern of upper airway collapse, which is crucial for tailoring surgical interventions. The clinic is at the forefront of sleep surgery, offering a wide array of both surgical and non-surgical treatments. Non-surgical options include Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy and Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs). For patients who are not candidates for or have failed CPAP therapy, the clinic provides a comprehensive range of surgical solutions. These include nasal septal surgery, and procedures for the soft palate and tongue using laser and radiofrequency thermotherapy. The clinic is also a pioneer in advanced surgical techniques, such as Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS) for midline glossectomy and glottic wedge resection, and is one of the few centers in the UK offering hypoglossal nerve stimulation (Inspire and Genio). The clinic's team of consultants comprises some of the most respected and experienced specialists in the field of sleep medicine and surgery. This includes Mr.
Ryan Chin Taw Cheong, a consultant ENT and sub-specialist Sleep Surgeon who is the only one in the UK with a full-time NHS practice exclusively in snoring and OSA surgery, and Mr. Vik Veer, the lead surgeon for Sleep Medicine at the hospital. The team also includes experts in sleep medicine and anaesthesia like Dr. Sara McNeillis, ensuring a well-rounded approach to patient management. The Royal National ENT Hospital Snoring and Sleep Clinic is not just a treatment center; it is also a hub for research and education. The clinic is actively involved in clinical trials and research, contributing to the advancement of sleep medicine. It also plays a vital role in training the next generation of sleep specialists, hosting the first International Sleep Surgery Course in the UK. This commitment to research and education ensures that the clinic remains at the cutting edge of the field, offering its patients the most advanced and effective treatments available.
