New sleep apnea treatment offered at Great Western Hospital
Great Western Hospital in Swindon is offering a new hypoglossal nerve stimulation treatment for sleep apnea.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
A new surgical treatment for sleep apnea is being offered at Great Western Hospital in Swindon, one of only five NHS trusts in the country trialling the device. The treatment, known as hypoglossal nerve stimulation, involves implanting a generator in the chest that sends electrical pulses to the nerve controlling tongue movement, pushing the tongue forward during sleep to keep the airway open.
Catherine Turnbull, a Wiltshire woman who had struggled with sleep for years, is among the first patients to receive the implant. She had the device fitted in May. For many patients, the standard treatment is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask, but Catherine found it impossible to tolerate. 'I always wake up in the night trying to rip it off my face,' she said. 'I've tried every single mask going, but no, it's awful.'
The new therapy has already helped around 125,000 patients worldwide. However, it is not suitable for everyone. Patients must meet strict criteria before being offered surgery. Catherine said she used to dread going to bed, but now hopes the implant will give her a full night's sleep, though doctors have told her it may take up to a year to see the full results.
Sleep apnea is a common but serious condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Many people, especially women, may dismiss symptoms as due to menopause or work stress, according to the report. The new treatment offers an alternative for those who cannot use CPAP machines.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC One |
|---|---|
| Catherine Turnbull had a hypoglossal nerve stimulation device fitted in May. | |
| Great Western Hospital in Swindon is one of five NHS trusts offering hypoglossal nerve stimulation surgery. | |
| The hypoglossal nerve stimulation treatment has helped around 125,000 patients worldwide. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The report focused on the human-interest angle, centering on patient Catherine Turnbull's personal struggle with sleep apnea and her relief at finding a new treatment. It highlighted the local connection (Wiltshire woman, Great Western Hospital in Swindon) and framed the story as a hopeful alternative for those who cannot tolerate CPAP machines. The tone was empathetic and informative, with a clear explanation of the medical procedure.
- “I always wake up in the night trying to rip it off my face. I've tried every single mask going, but no, it's awful.”
- “Really, really, really, really grateful. I really am because I used to dread going to bed at night.”
- “I think I stopped breathing a lot during the night. I can't remember how many times, but it was a lot.”
Broadcast Timeline
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