About our respiratory and sleep medicine services
Our respiratory and sleep medicine services are provided through inpatient care at Westmead Hospital. Our department of respiratory and sleep medicine clinically manages the hospital's Respiratory Close Observation Unit.
Our services focus on the treatment of patients with illnesses that affects their respiratory function (ability to breathe) and secondary prevention after a patient has been diagnosed with respiratory disease.
These diseases include:
- asthma
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- lung cancer
- obstructive sleep apnoea
- pneumonia
- respiratory failure.
We also treat less common respiratory diseases, including:
- cystic fibrosis
- interstitial lung diseases
- pulmonary vascular diseases
- sleep disorders
- tuberculosis (TB).
Our inpatient care services
Inpatient care at Westmead Hospital includes:
- respiratory failure and sleep disorders service
- respiratory function laboratory
- laser bronchoscopy.
We also offer ambulatory services and clinics, including home oxygen and ventilation services through:
- the EnableNSW Home Respiratory Program
- prevention programs to promote smoking reduction and TB screening
- our Respiratory Ambulatory Care Service (RACS), a multisite service for patients with chronic respiratory disease.
Clinics and services overview
You will need a referral from your GP (doctor) to access our clinics and for all consultations with our respiratory and sleep specialists (required by Medicare).
Note:
- You can only access some tertiary (specialist) clinics with a referral from your treating specialist.
- Before making an appointment, email your GP referral to WSLHD-RespiratoryMedicine@health.nsw.gov.au
This section provides a list of our department's clinics and services.
- General respiratory outpatients
- Respiratory private consulting rooms including sleep clinics
- Adult cystic fibrosis specialist service
- Pulmonary hypertension clinic
- Respiratory ambulatory care service (RACS)
- Pulmonary rehabilitation program
- Integrated respiratory care service
- Lung cancer and lung nodule clinics
- Interstitial lung disease clinic
- Severe asthma clinic
- Bronchiectasis clinic
- Non-invasive ventilation clinic
- Chest clinic and tuberculosis service
- Department of respiratory and sleep medicine research service
- Ludwig Engel Centre for Respiratory Research (University of Sydney)
- Clinical research trials
| Service | Ward |
|---|---|
| Respiratory and Cystic fibrosis ward | D5a/c |
| Respiratory Close Observation unit | B5b |
- Westmead Sleep Investigation and Research Centre
- Sleep disorder laboratory
- Respiratory Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) service
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) clinics
- Respiratory function laboratory
Our specialist services
Learn more about our specialist respiratory and sleep health services.
The General Respiratory Clinic provides specialist outpatient care for patients with complex or chronic respiratory conditions. The clinic treats conditions including:
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- bronchiectasis
- interstitial lung disease
- and severe asthma
Referrals
You will need a referral from a GP (doctor) or a hospital specialist. Referrals should include:
- a clinical summary
- recent lung function tests
- medical imaging scans
- and any other relevant medical information.
What to bring to your appointment
- Referral letter from your GP or specialist
- Medicare card
- List of current medications
- Recent lung function test results and imaging reports
- Any relevant symptom diaries or care plans.
Location and contact details
The General Respiratory Clinic is located in the Outpatient Clinic, Block G2 via the main entrance (entrance 4) at Westmead Hospital.
Phone: (02) 8890 6544
Our sleep and respiratory specialists operate private consulting services within PCRs. These outpatient clinics provide comprehensive assessment and management of conditions including:
- asthma
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- insomnia
- narcolepsy
- sleep apnoea
- and other respiratory issues in a PCR setting.
Referrals
You will need a referral from a GP (doctor) to the specific private specialist. Referrals can be faxed or emailed to the Respiratory Department or PCRs.
Cost
Patients will be charged as per the service fee schedule.
What to bring to your appointment
- Referral letter from your GP or specialist
- Medicare card
- List of current medications
- Recent lung function test results and imaging reports
- Any relevant symptom diaries or care plans.
Location and contact details
The PCR outpatient clinic is located in Block J, Level 3 at Westmead Hospital.
Phone: (02) 8895 6996 or (02) 8890 6797
Fax: (02) 8890 7286
The Adult cystic fibrosis (CF) specialist service is one of 3 adult CF clinics in NSW. We provide specialised care for adults living with CF, including:
- respiratory management
- endocrine support
- physiotherapy
- dietetics
- pharmacy
- psychological care, and nursing.
Referrals
You will need a referral from a GP (doctor) to the specific private specialist. You must provide separate referrals for your:
- Respiratory specialist appointment
- Endocrinologist appointment
What to bring to your appointment
- Referral letter from your GP or specialist
- Medicare card
Location and contact details
The Adult CF clinic is located in Block A, Level 5, Outpatient Area A5c at Westmead Hospital.
Phone: (02) 8890 6112
The Westmead Sleep Investigation and Research Centre, also known as the sleep disorder laboratory, conducts sleep studies to diagnosis and treat sleep disorders. We treat sleep related disorders including:
- obstructive sleep apnoea
- obesity hypoventilation
- narcolepsy
- periodic limb movement disorder
- and motor neuron disease.
During a sleep study, data are recorded from several sensors that are attached to your head, body and legs while you sleep. Video and sound are also recorded. This information is then analysed and a report prepared for your physician.
Referrals
You will need a referral from a GP (doctor) to a sleep and respiratory specialist. The specialist will decide if you require a sleep study and refer to the laboratory.
Once we receive your referral, you will be added to our sleep study waitlist and contacted with an appointment.
What to bring to your appointment
- Medicare card
- Regular medications
- Bed clothes and toiletries
- Own pillow, if you choose
- False teeth (if you have them)
- Medical devices for sleeping such as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) or mouthguard (if you have one).
Location and contact details
The sleep disorder laboratory is located in Block B, Level 5, Ward B5a/d in Westmead Hospital.
Phone: (02) 8890 6042
Email: WSLHD-WSIRC-SleepLabPatientInfo@health.nsw.gov.au
Helpful resources
- Learn about sleep studies, how we conduct them and what to do after the study.
- Learn how to use your nasal CPAP machine
- Learn how to use, clean and care for your heated humidifier
- Read the instructions for your MWT (Maintenance of Wakefulness Test) (PDF 220.48KB)
- Read the instructions for your MSLT (Multiple Sleep Latency Test) (PDF 219.93KB)
The 35-bed respiratory and cystic fibrosis ward (the unit) provides specialised care for patients with acute and sub-acute exacerbations (sudden flare-up or attack) of respiratory diseases. The unit offers:
- inpatient treatment
- monitoring
- multidisciplinary support to manage complex respiratory conditions.
Referrals
You will need a referral from your treating specialist or emergency admission. This is a public hospital service covered under Medicare.
Cost
There are no direct costs for admitted patients. Private patients may have to pay fees from their health insurance according to hospital policy.
What to bring to your appointment
- Do not bring money or valuables
- Medicare card
- Health insurance details (if relevant)
- List of current medications
- Any relevant medical records and/or test results
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine and mask, if you have one.
Location and contact details
The unit is located in Block D, Level 5, Ward D5a/c at Westmead Hospital.
Phone: (02) 8890 6114
Pulmonary rehabilitation is an evidence-based program that supports people with chronic lung conditions. The program supports patients with chronic lung conditions including:
- bronchiectasis
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- emphysema.
The program is delivered by a multidisciplinary team of experts and runs twice a week over 6 to 8 weeks. It helps patients improve their lung function and quality of life and typically includes:
- exercise training
- education on lung health
- symptom management
- breathing techniques
- and nutritional support.
Referrals
You will need a referral from your GP (doctor) or respiratory specialist to join the program. Due to high demand, there a waiting period of about 8 weeks before a place is available.
You can fax your referral to (02) 8890 9837.
Cost
This is a free service for eligible patients.
What to bring with you
- Referral letter from your GP or respiratory specialist
- Medicare card
- List of current medications
- Wear comfortable clothes for exercise, a towel and water bottle.
Location and contact details
The pulmonary rehabilitation assessment clinic is located in Block B, Level 5 (Ward B5c) and the program is located in Block C, Level 1 at Westmead Hospital.
Phone: (02) 8890 9836 or (02) 8890 8301
Fax: (02) 8890 9837
Email: WSLHD-WM-RespiratoryMedicine-PRP@health.nsw.gov.au
The program is also available at Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals for eligible patients.
The respiratory function laboratory is an accredited service providing complex lung function testing for patients aged 16 years and older. Our tests help diagnose and monitor respiratory conditions by measuring how well your lungs work.
Referrals
You will need a referral from your GP (doctor). Patients will receive specific information directly at the time of booking, including any preparation instructions relevant to their lung function tests.
What to bring to your appointment
Please arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment time, and bring your:
- Medicare card
- Photo identification
- Referral letter
Location and contact details
The respiratory function laboratory is located in Block C, Level 2 at Westmead Hospital.
Phone: (02) 8890 7214
The Pulmonary hypertension clinic (the clinic) provides specialised care for patients with pulmonary hypertension.
Referrals
You will need a referral from your treating specialist.
What to bring to your appointment
- referral letter from your specialist
- Medicare card
- List of current medications and any known allergies
- Recent medical test results (lung function, radiology and pathology reports)
- comfortable clothing for physical assessments.
Location and contact details
The clinic is located in Block B, Level 5 (B5c) at Westmead Hospital.
Phone: (02) 8890 9836
Education and research
We are a clinical teaching unit for the University of Sydney and run active clinical research programs and clinical trial of new therapies through the Ludwig Engel Centre for Respiratory Research (the centre).
Learn more about research in Western Sydney.
Ludwig Engel Centre for Respiratory Research
The centre runs a clinical trials unit which studies the effectiveness of new medications and therapies to help improve health outcomes for people with respiratory and sleep problems.
Our goal is to deliver effective respiratory health outcomes through original research, particularly in the fields of:
- bronchiectasis
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- cystic fibrosis
- obstructive sleep apnoea
- upper airway physiology.
Clinical trials
We welcome patients who would be happy to take part in clinical trials in the following areas:
- asthma
- bronchiectasis
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- cystic fibrosis
- idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)
- pulmonary arterial hypertension
- sleep apnoea.
Location and contact details
The centre is located in Block B, Level 2, Clinical Sciences Building at Westmead Hospital.
For more information about taking part in our clinical trials, you can call the clinical research manager at (02) 8890 7785 or email WSLHD-WM-RespiratoryResearch@health.nsw.gov.au