Sleep medicine, The Children's Hospital at Westmead
Contact
Phone: (02) 7825 3437
Email: SCHN-CHW-SleepUnitSMS@health.nsw.gov.au
Location: Respiratory Medicine, Sleep unit, Children's Hospital at Westmead
About our service
The Sleep Medicine service provides diagnostic and treatment facilities for children with sleep-associated disorders, including obstructive sleep apnoea, chronic lung diseases, and problems with ventilation.
We offer outpatient clinical services for review of patients with sleep disorders, overnight sleep studies to diagnose sleep problems, well as screening studies to prioritise and monitor treatment.
The David Read Sleep unit was the first Paediatric Sleep unit to be established in NSW and continues to be one of the biggest and busiest units in Australia.
We work closely with the Respiratory service.
Referral process for clinicians
Our department is using Consultmed to manage referrals. We are currently only accepting referrals for new patients from non-General Practitioner (GP) specialists and surgeons.
If the patient is already known to the sleep service, a referral from a General Practitioner (GP) specialist will be accepted.
Please note waitlists may exceed 12 months.
For Consultmed questions and technical support, please contact helpdesk@consultmed.co.
Referral and appointment process for parents and carers
Request a referral
To make an appointment at our clinic, you will need a referral.
If you are a new patient, you will need a referral from a non-General Practitioner (GP) specialist or surgeon to make an appointment at our clinic. They will assess your child, discuss your concerns and make a referral to the appropriate service.
Please note waitlists may exceed 12 months.
If you are an existing patient already known to the sleep service, your GP or specialist can provide a referral.
Track your referral
Our department uses Consultmed to manage referrals. Your referring clinician sends the e-referral to us using the secure Consultmed platform.
Once we receive the referral, we will send you an email with your tracking information. We will update you as we process the referral and book your appointment.
To receive these updates, please ask your referring clinician to include your email on the referral.
If your clinician has questions about Consultmed or require technical support, they can contact helpdesk@consultmed.co.
Need support?
If you need help or have questions about the referral and appointment process, please contact us.
Phone: (02) 7825 3437
Clinic and service information
Sleep Outpatient clinic
Location: Outpatients Clinics, Level 2, Banksia Building at The Children’s Hospital, Westmead NSW 2145
Clinic times: Sleep Clinic runs every Thursday afternoon from 1–4pm
Home Respiratory Support service
The Home Respiratory Support service includes:
- overnight screening studies for respiratory abnormalities
- inpatient services for establishing respiratory support
- home respiratory support including oxygen, CPAP, and non-invasive ventilation
- The Long Term Ventilation Unit (LTVU)
- SIDS research and sleep apnoea research.
We assist children with long-term ventilation in the home and community environment by providing medical and nursing consultancy. Children are managed in association with the Long-Term Ventilation Unit (LTVU). The LTVU includes nurse practitioners and allied health support to prepare children for discharge into the community.
The children supported by this service have multiple technological needs that include ventilation (whether during wakefulness and/or sleep). Our team supports families in their applications to relevant Government agencies for appropriate funding packages, including the ongoing medical and psychosocial reports that are required to maintain the funding support.
Our Scientific Officers participate in collating equipment requirements and ensuring that there are safety backups present. We work closely with the Department of Biomedical Engineering and staff from Inhalation Therapy to provide ongoing care of these children and to maintain their equipment.
Sleep study information for parents and carers
Information for private patients
If you prefer, you can see the following doctor or clinics privately.
Professor Dominic Fitzgerald
Referral information
A referral letter from a General Practitioner or Paediatrician addressed to Professor Dominic Fitzgerald must be emailed to the Respiratory Secretary before an appointment can be organised.
Referral Letter Requirements
- Patient's full first and last name
- Date of Birth
- Contact details and address
- Medicare card number
- Medical history and the reason for referral
Appointment Enquiries
- Phone: (02) 7825 3397
Location:
The Children’s Hospital Medical Centre, Suite 16, Level 2, Hainsworth Street, Westmead NSW 2145
Private sleep clinics
Private sleep clinics for paediatric patients are offered by:
Our staff
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Professor Karen Waters - Head of Sleep Medicine
She also conducts clinical and laboratory-based research studies with specials interests in the control of breathing and sudden death in infants.
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Dr Chris Seton - Paediatric & Adolescent Sleep Physician
Dr Seton diagnoses and treats sleep disorders in children of all ages, but is particularly passionate about adolescent sleep issues.
