Enhancing Sleep Care at Hawke’s Bay Hospital

Patients with severe sleep apnea can now access treatment faster thanks to a new approach by the Sleep Service at Hawke’s Bay Hospital.

The hospital’s sleep service is now offering group sessions for patients needing Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy, where up to 10 patients can be seen at once.

Sarah Richardson, Nurse Practitioner, says the team recognised the need for change to address the long waiting times for patients.

“Since introducing group sessions, we’ve gone from a waitlist of over 200 to about 50 in just a few months. People are getting the treatment they need sooner, improving their sleep and quality of life.”

Hospital bookers offer suitable patients both a group session or an individual appointment. If they opt for this, they can begin their treatment within just a few weeks.

The service still offers individual consultations for those who need it and prefer a one-on-one appointment with a specialist.

Sarah says, patients choosing an individual consultation will have to wait a little longer, but are still benefiting from the shorter waitlist.

Physiologists, supported by senior clinicians, run weekly group sessions, which include airway assessments, equipment setup, and education. Not only are patients receiving treatment but they’re also engaging with others facing similar issues.

Sarah says feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

“The shared learning environment fosters better understanding and promotes the opportunity to ask questions. Patients who had previously failed individual trials have also reported greater confidence and knowledge after a group session.”

The new model also boosts efficiency. Instead of one physiologist seeing four patients a week individually, two can now see up to 16 in a group setting.

This has freed up valuable clinic time and allowed physiologists like Justin Almeda to work at the top of their scope.

“I love the variety in my role,” says Justin, a sleep physiologist with 16 years of experience.

“But what’s most fulfilling is seeing the difference CPAP therapy makes in people’s lives.”

Sarah says it’s a real multidisciplinary team and everyone has contributed to its success, from the clinicians to the bookers and kaitakawaenga.