First North East patient receives sleep apnoea implant as alternative to CPAP

A patient from Newcastle has become the first person in the North East to receive an implant designed to help people with obstructive sleep apnoea breathe normally while asleep.

The procedure was carried out at Sunderland Royal Hospital through a partnership involving South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle Hospitals and Northumbria Healthcare. Specialists in respiratory medicine, neurology and surgery from the three trusts worked together to assess the patient and plan the treatment.

Obstructive sleep apnoea causes the airway to narrow or close repeatedly during sleep, temporarily interrupting breathing. It can leave people experiencing severe daytime tiredness, poor concentration and memory problems, while untreated cases may increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.

Many patients use continuous positive airway pressure, known as CPAP, which delivers air through a mask to keep the airway open. Although effective, some people find the equipment uncomfortable or are unable to use it consistently. The Inspire implant is intended as an alternative for carefully selected patients when conventional treatment has not worked.

Placed beneath the skin, the device gently stimulates the hypoglossal nerve, which controls tongue movement. This helps prevent the tongue from blocking the airway. Patients activate the implant using a handheld remote before going to sleep, and it synchronises with their natural breathing pattern throughout the night.

Consultant ENT surgeon Helen Cocks, who performed the operation alongside colleagues Arpita Singh and Benjamin Cosway, described the first procedure as an important milestone. The regional programme is expected to treat more eligible patients, with plans for operations to be offered in Newcastle as it develops.

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