Great Western Hospitals becomes first in South West to offer pioneering implant for sleep apnoea patients

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has become the first Trust in the South West to offer a revolutionary implantable device for patients with obstructive sleep apnoea, providing an alternative to traditional continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines.

The innovative device, which is implanted inside the chest or fitted under the chin, works by stimulating the muscles that keep the airway open during sleep. This helps to prevent interruptions in breathing and snoring, which are common for those with sleep apnoea, improving sleep quality and overall health.

Obstructive sleep apnoea affects thousands of people across the UK and is commonly treated using CPAP therapy. While effective, some patients find the machines difficult to tolerate or claustrophobic, with the new implant offering a transformative solution for some patients who are unable to use CPAP.

Mr Joseph Sinnott, Ear, Nose and Throat Consultant at the Trust, said: “This is a very exciting development for our patients. While CPAP remains the gold standard for many, we know it doesn’t work for everyone. Being able to offer this implant gives us a new way to support people whose sleep apnoea has been difficult to manage.

“For the right patients, this treatment can be life-changing – improving sleep, reducing daytime fatigue, and lowering the risk of serious long-term conditions such as heart disease or stroke.”

Recently, Catherine Turnbull became the first patient in the region to undergo the procedure, being fitted with an Inspire device – one of two devices that the Trust will be using. The other is supplied by Genio.

She said: “I stop breathing many times in the night because my tongue falls over my airway and I snore, badly. The device is revolutionary, I think. I won’t be tied to a CPAP machine, nobody knows its there and I can just live my life normally.

“If I want to stay away somewhere for the night, I won’t need to think about taking anything with me. When I’m travelling, I won’t need to lug a CPAP machine with me anywhere.

“It’s really good, really exciting and will mean I can prolong my life. It’s definitely the way forward.”

Patients being considered for the implant will undergo a detailed assessment by the Trust’s multidisciplinary sleep team to ensure the treatment is suitable for their condition.

Ed Holyoak, Director UK & Nordics for Inspire Medical Systems GmbH, added: "We are truly grateful to Mr Sinnott and the whole team at the Great Western Hospital for their trust in Inspire therapy.

“It takes significant commitment to pioneer a new program like this. Congratulations on this milestone, which opens up a huge opportunity for patients in the South West who cannot benefit from CPAP."  

This latest innovation supports the Trust’s commitment to bringing life-changing treatments closer to home, improving the quality of life for patients with a sleep condition in Swindon and across the wider region.