By Cassie Mochan – Category Manager – Health
Quality sleep plays an essential role in both physical and cognitive wellbeing. Yet for many people across England, respiratory conditions make sleep difficult. Around 20% of the population is affected by respiratory illness; it’s the third leading cause of death nationally and it places significant strain on NHS resources each year.
Understanding Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)
One of the most common sleeprelated breathing disorders is Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). OSA occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat relax excessively during sleep, temporarily blocking the airway. When airflow stops, oxygen levels drop and the brain triggers brief awakenings - often unnoticed - to restore breathing.
These repeated interruptions can occur hundreds of times a night, leaving individuals with unrefreshing sleep, reduced concentration, and persistent daytime fatigue.
Of the one million people diagnosed with sleep apnoea in the UK, around 700,000 use Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy, the goldstandard treatment. CPAP works by delivering a gentle flow of pressurised air through a mask worn during sleep, helping to keep the airway open throughout the night.
The benefits of CPAP therapy
When used consistently, CPAP therapy can:
▪ Support easier, unobstructed breathing
▪ Improve sleep quality and overall restfulness
▪ Reduce the risk of associated health complications such as high blood pressure
Many patients report noticeable improvements in energy, mood, and overall quality of life once their sleep begins to stabilise.
How NHS SBS supports sleep and respiratory care
The NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) Respiratory Therapy Solutions Framework Agreement helps healthcare providers to procure essential equipment efficiently and compliantly, ensuring patients can manage their conditions safely, often independently, at home.
It offers:
▪ Noninvasive ventilators
▪ Sleep therapy devices
▪ Airway clearance systems
▪ Monitoring technologies
▪ Related consumables and support services
By supporting simpler access to the right tools and technologies, the framework agreement helps clinical teams deliver consistent, patientcentred respiratory and sleep care across their communities.
As we recognise World Sleep Day, this year’s theme, “Sleep Well, Live Better”, is a timely reminder of how vital sleep is to longterm health and the importance of supporting individuals living with conditions that make healthy sleep more difficult.
Want to know more?
To learn more about how this framework agreement can support your organisation, please contact NHS SBS.