Do I need a GP referral?

No. You can self-refer to Guildford Sleep Clinic and complete the assessment online. If your symptoms suggest you need NHS input, we'll explain what to do next.

What's the difference between a sleep study and an insomnia assessment?

A sleep study looks for physical patterns during sleep (often breathing related). An insomnia assessment focuses on sleep habits, stress, and patterns like difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep without breathing symptoms.

Is snoring always a sign of sleep apnoea?

No. Some people snore without OSA. But loud snoring plus choking or gasping, high blood pressure, or strong daytime sleepiness should be assessed.

Can insomnia and sleep apnoea happen together?

Yes. It's common to have both. This is called co-morbid insomnia and sleep apnoea (COMISA). That's one reason we screen broadly at Guildford Sleep Clinic.

What if my sleep study is normal?

That still helps. If testing is normal, it often points towards other causes like insomnia, restless legs, circadian rhythm issues, anxiety, medication effects, or low iron, and you can still get a clear plan.

How do I know if daytime tiredness is sleepiness?

Feeling tired is low energy. Sleepiness is actually dozing off – in a meeting in the Surrey Research Park, in front of the TV, or on the train home. Excessive daytime sleepiness is more strongly associated with breathing-related sleep disorders such as OSA.

Do you provide sleep studies in Guildford?

We provide free screening and guidance using our online assessment. We don't run sleep studies ourselves, but if one is appropriate, we explain the next step to arrange it.

Sleep Study Guildford | Do You Need A Sleep Apnoea Test?

First check your symptoms

Let's make sure you're in the right place

Many people looking for a sleep study in Guildford don't actually need sleep testing straight away. Sleep problems often overlap, and the right next step depends on your main symptoms.

I can't fall asleep or my mind won't switch off

You may be dealing with insomnia if your main problem is:

lying awake for long periods
waking in the night with a busy mind
waking too early most mornings
feeling tired but not actually dozing off in the day

Visit our Guildford insomnia clinic

I snore loudly or feel very sleepy in the daytime

You may be at risk of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) if you have:

loud regular snoring
choking or gasping during sleep
someone noticing pauses in your breathing
excessive daytime sleepiness (nodding off unintentionally)

Visit our Guildford sleep apnoea clinic

My legs feel uncomfortable at night

You may have features of restless legs syndrome (RLS) if you notice:

an urge to move your legs in the evening or at night
tingling, crawling, or buzzing sensations
symptoms that improve when you move
sleep disturbed by leg discomfort rather than breathing

Learn about restless legs syndrome

Consider your sleep patterns

Do you need a sleep study in Guildford?

A sleep study is usually most helpful when there are signs your breathing is being interrupted during sleep. That's what happens in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). OSA can cause repeated brief awakenings (even if you don't remember them) and can leave you feeling exhausted the next day. This table may help you decide whether a private sleep assessment is worth doing.

Sleep symptoms	Do you need a sleep study?
Trouble falling asleep but no loud snoring	Sleep testing is less likely to be needed
Feeling tired but not actually dozing off	Sleep testing is less likely to be needed
Stress or a busy mind keeping you awake	Sleep testing is less likely to be needed
Loud snoring most nights	May be worth assessing
Unrefreshing sleep most mornings	May be worth assessing
Morning headaches or dry mouth	May be worth assessing
Your partner is worried about your breathing	Sleep assessment advised
Someone has seen you stop breathing in sleep	Sleep assessment advised
Choking or gasping at night	Sleep assessment advised
Excessive daytime sleepiness (nodding off unintentionally)	Sleep assessment advised
High blood pressure plus loud snoring	Sleep assessment advised
Raised weight or large neck with loud snoring	Sleep assessment advised

Sleep apnoea tests in Guildford or at home

What is a sleep study?

A sleep study is an overnight test that checks what happens while you sleep. There are different types. Many people are looking for either a home sleep apnoea test (also called home respiratory sleep testing) or an in-person sleep apnoea test at a Guildford clinic. These types of testing focus on breathing and oxygen changes linked with OSA.

What a home sleep apnoea test usually measures

Depending on the device, it may track things like:

breathing patterns
oxygen levels
heart rate
snoring or airflow signals

What it can and can't tell you

A home sleep apnoea test can help:

spot patterns that suggest obstructive sleep apnoea
guide safe treatment decisions

It can't:

diagnose every possible sleep disorder
replace urgent medical care if you have dangerous symptoms

How we work at Guildford Sleep Clinic

Guildford Sleep Clinic does not provide sleep studies as part of our service. Instead, we provide:

a free, 2-minute sleep assessment
clear guidance on whether sleep testing may be appropriate
advice on the most suitable next step and referral pathway
support with appropriate treatment routes when clinically suitable

Is our clinic right for you?

Who we help in Guildford

You may find this page helpful if you live in or near Guildford and you have:

loud snoring that's affecting you or your partner
possible sleep apnoea symptoms (gasping, pauses in breathing, heavy daytime sleepiness)
insomnia symptoms that might actually be breathing-related awakenings
confusion about whether you need a sleep study or something else

In practice that means anywhere in Surrey, from Godalming to Merrow. Wherever you are, the first step is the same short online assessment.

A woman lying awake in bed at night, one hand on her forehead, with a blurred alarm clock on the bedside table. — Lying awake wondering if you need a sleep study in Guildford

How to treat sleep apnoea

Treatment options if sleep apnoea is confirmed

Treatment depends on your results, symptoms, and health. Common options include:

CPAP (often used for moderate to severe OSA)
Mandibular advancement devices (sometimes suitable for mild to moderate OSA)
Weight management support (where weight is a key contributor)
Snoring support (if snoring is the main issue and OSA is not present)

Your journey to better sleep

How our sleep service works

A proper assessment.

Answer a short set of questions about your sleep. You get a clear next step based on your answers, not a generic leaflet. If treatment is an option, a UK-registered clinician at The Independent Pharmacy reviews your full consultation before anything is prescribed.

Today

Rebuild how you sleep.

Work with a dedicated sleep specialist on falling asleep and staying asleep, with evidence-based behavioural support and practical tools. Fewer awakenings, steadier energy.

Months 1–6

Make it stick.

Strengthen the habits that hold up long term. Learn your triggers, handle the occasional bad night with confidence, and keep the progress.

Months 7–12

We screen for different sleep disorders

Why sleep studies may be unnecessary

This might sound surprising, but a lot of people don't need a sleep study to get the right help. Here's why:

Different sleep problems can look the same at first. Waking up lots can be insomnia, or it can be breathing interruptions from OSA.
Snoring doesn't always mean sleep apnoea. Some people snore loudly but don't have OSA.
Restless legs and low iron can seriously disrupt sleep. That can look like insomnia and tiredness too.

That's why at Guildford Sleep Clinic, we start with a free 2-minute screening assessment. It helps guide you to the right next step, and it takes a couple of minutes to do – tonight, if you like, from wherever you are in Guildford.

Sleep study in Guildford