Meet Jake – the first patient at our new Sheffield Sleep House

When we opened the doors of the Sheffield Sleep House – or ‘SSH…’ in the first week of January 2021 – fourteen-year-old Jake was the first patient to arrive.

Jake has had breath holding and snoring problems for some time, which have caused him distress. He came to the Sleep Team for a cardiorespiratory polygraphy – a sleep study which measures a breathing and oxygen levels while asleep.

This is not the first time that Jake’s sleep patterns have been monitored; a home sleep study suggested he had early onset sleep apnoea. In May 2019, Jake had his tonsils and adenoids removed but his sleep study then had to be delayed as the Trust responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jake’s mum, Lisa said: “We were the first patients to arrive at the House since it had opened; we felt honoured! We were welcomed inside and shown to our room.”

After the staff had explained how the polysomnography (sleep study) is set up and taking a moment to settle in to their new room, it was time for Jake to be prepared for a night’s sleep.

Lisa said: “Jake was given the option to have all sensors put on now or he could have them put on now or later. He opted to have them put on straight away. When he was ready to settle down that evening the staff came in and connected him to the machine. Jake slept OK but was very fidgety so several times during the night, staff had to come in and reattach any sensors that had come off. In the morning, I was offered a hot drink and we were discharged – with a certificate for Jake!

“The Sleep Team were very kind, helpful and put Jake straight at ease.”

Sheffield Children’s has one of just a few specialist paediatric sleep services in the UK. The Sleep Team investigates and provides advice and treatment for a range of sleep problems including; narcolepsy, severe sleep walking, night terrors or unexplained nocturnal events, severe sleep disturbance and – like Jake – patients who have obstructive sleep apnoea.

They’ve recently moved into a new home on Northumberland Road – next to the hospital site – which provides a better atmosphere for patients to have a normal night’s sleep. The quiet study bedrooms have a patient bed or cot, a parent bed and linen for parents and carers. It also has an accessible shower room.

Lisa said: “I think the Sheffield Sleep House is an amazing idea. It’s much more relaxing for everyone. I liked the fact that the parent has a bed too – as I was expecting a chair like our previous stays in hospital.”

If any child or young person is struggling with their sleep, please speak to your GP in the first instance.

Jake said: “It was a great experience and it felt like home rather than a hospital. The staff were really nice and supportive and I had nothing to worry about. They explained things so that I was fully aware. I would recommend to others that they have nothing to worry about as they will be in good hands. Thank you for everything.”