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<p>Local clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are responsible for assessing the needs
of their local populations and for commissioning services to meet those needs. For
patients with obstructive sleep apnoea, NHS England expects CCGs to take into account
the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines when deciding
what services should be made available.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>NICE has published
technology appraisal guidance which recommends the use of continuous positive airway
pressure as a treatment option for adults with moderate or severe symptomatic obstructive
sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome, where certain criteria are met.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>
</p><p>NICE has been commissioned to develop a quality standard on sleep disordered
breathing and will in due course consider which conditions will be covered under the
scope of the quality standard and the need for associated clinical guidance.</p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>There are currently no special provisions for people with sleep
apnoea who drive for a living, but this will be considered as part of the guideline.</p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Individuals diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnoea and who
are waiting for continuous positive airways pressure therapy are prioritised according
to clinical need.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We do not collect information centrally
on the time people wait between diagnosis and treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea.
The Referral to Treatment operational standards state that 90% admitted and 95% of
non-admitted patients should start consultant-led treatment within 18 weeks of referral.
In order to sustain delivery of these standards, 92% of patients who have not yet
started treatment should have been waiting no more than 18 weeks. Whilst individual
National Health Service organisations are monitored on their performance in this area,
obstructive sleep apnoea is not separately identified.</p><p> </p>
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