We are a comprehensive, NHS outpatient service which assesses and treats adults with insomnia. We also assess and treat related sleep problems including nightmares, sleep paralysis, restless legs syndrome, and circadian rhythm disorders.
We deliver an integrated service, with input from doctors and therapists. The clinic also has links with other sleep and specialist services across UCLH.
Insomnia is difficulty in getting to sleep or staying asleep which can lead to tiredness and other symptoms. It is a common and very debilitating problem. It can affect how we function at work and at home. It can also affect our quality of life and mental health.
Most patients with insomnia are offered a course of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) as a first-line treatment. This is a scientifically proven set of practical techniques to improve sleep and the therapy is usually done in small groups. The therapy course can be delivered face to face or online via video platform. After finishing the treatment you will be offered another session with a clinician to discuss whether you need further help. You can find more information about CBT-I in our information leaflet.
The clinic also works with GPs to offer advice on sleeping pills and other medications that might affect sleep.
Due to the large number of patients we see, there may be a wait before your place on the CBT-I course becomes available.
We recommend the following resources, which provide helpful background:
Book: ‘Overcoming Insomnia and Sleep Problems: A Self-Help Guide Using Cognitive Behavioural Techniques’ by Colin Espie, 2006. This book is available in all lending libraries, as well as online.
Book: ‘How to Beat Insomnia and Sleep Problems One Step at a Time’ by Kirstie Anderson, 2018.
Web-based CBT-I course: www.sleepio.com
Web-based CBT-I course: www.sleepstation.org.uk
Sleepful app, based on CBT-I: https://sleepful.me/
Most patients are offered a course of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). This is a scientifically proven set of practical techniques to improve sleep. The therapy is usually done in small groups, but some patients may be offered individual sessions. The clinic also works with GPs to offer advice on sleeping pills and other medications that might help your sleep. After finishing the treatment you will have another session with a clinician to discuss whether you need further help.
The service is based at the Royal London Hospital of Integrated Medicine, Great Ormond Street, London
Some appointments may be in person and some may be on the phone or over an internet based video app.
In order to make your appointment more effective it would be helpful if you could fill out a questionnaire via this link.
You will be seen by a doctor or therapist who will do a thorough assessment of your condition. You will be asked about any other sleep disorders, medical conditions or mental health conditions that might be contributing to the sleep disorder. If you need further tests, we will arrange this. At the end of the session, the clinician will discuss the treatment options with you and agree on a treatment plan.
Please note that if you miss your scheduled appointment your file will be closed. If you wish to be seen again, ask your GP to re-refer you.
The RLHIM is also a teaching hospital and from time to time other healthcare professionals and students may observe in outpatient clinics as part of a training course. Please let the clinician know if you would prefer not to have other healthcare professionals or students in the session.
What happens after my initial appointment?
If you are accepted for therapy, you will be contacted by one of our administrators to schedule either your group or individual therapy sessions.
Because we receive a large number of referrals, it is possible that you may have to wait before your therapy starts.
What if I cannot attend my initial appointment?
If you are unable to attend your appointment, please let us know at least 48 hours beforehand so that we can reschedule and offer your appointment to someone else. If you do not attend your appointment without telling us, we may refer you back to your GP.
If your appointment is more than 24 hours away, please change or cancel it by using the online form below or calling us on 020 3456 7890.
If your appointment is within the next 24 hrs please call us on 020 3456 7890.
If you have any non-urgent queries regarding your appointment or our services, please email us at uclh.
Patient contact
Service management
Loretta Chinwokwu
Address
Insomnia and behavioural sleep medicine clinic
Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
3rd floor
60 Great Ormond Street
London, WC1N 3HR
GP contact
Referral
Other referral information
We consider referrals where insomnia is likely to be the primary problem. We accept referrals from GPs, secondary and tertiary-level (hospital-based) services.
When completing this referral form, we ask that you provide as much background information as possible. Please include any previously trialed medications, medical and psychiatric background, and results of previous sleep studies where these have been undertaken. If appropriate, please include the results of the questionnaires i.e. Insomnia severity index, Epworth sleepiness scale, Morningness-eveningness questionnaire, PSQI, STOP-BANG) referred to in the section below.
| UCLH service name | e-referral specialty | Clinic type |
|---|---|---|
| Insomnia and Behavioural Sleep Medicine | Sleep medicine | Insomnia |
Referral address
Insomnia and behavioural sleep medicine clinic
Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
3rd floor
60 Great Ormond Street
London, WC1N 3HR
