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Help wanted for sleep disorder research
Page 12
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A MEDICAL consultant is interested in hearing from any road freight companies willing to help with research into obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA),
Dr Stephen Bianchi, consultant in sleep disordered breathing at Sheffield Thoracic Institute, would like to talk to companies that are prepared to screen drivers. Although such research can attract funding, participating firms would need to be prepared to cover the cost of overnight testing, which is approximately 2100 per driver. Bianchi says it is essential that proper protocols are established for screening drivers in order to address the road safety concerns and minimise the costs to industry and individual drivers.
"We need lots of research in partnership
with industry to set up an Infrastructure that can screen and diagnose sufferers and then get them into treatment and back on the road as fast as possible."
Under NHS rules, it can take up to 18 weeks for a driver to pass from referral to treatment, during which time he cannot drive; and Bianchi says most private medical insurers will not cover sleep disorders.
This leaves many drivers fearing that screening could interrupt their livelihood for months.
OSA sufferers are not only seven times more likely to have a collision, but can also suffer debilitating health consequences.
• For more information contact: Stephen. bianchiffisth.nhs.uk