For Health practitioner

At Mid North Coast Sleep Clinic, we provide comprehensive sleep disorder services with a focus on diagnosing and treating sleep apnoea. Our team of professional sleep scientists and sleep physicians is committed to supporting you and your patients throughout the diagnostic and treatment process.

Our Service Area:

Primary clinics:

Taree, Forster, and Gloucester

Extended service:

Tea Gardens and Bulahdelah (via courier service)

Home visits:

Available throughout our service area

Our Team:

• 3 experienced sleep technicians
• 2 qualified sleep scientists
• 2 sleep physicians
• Led by Associate Professor Dr Michael Dodd
  

Step 1: Referral: Prepare a referral for your patient to our Sleep Physician, Associate Professor Dr Michael Dodd. You may use our referral form or your standard referral format.

Step 2: Submit Referral: Email completed referrals directly to: [email protected]

Step 3: Patient Contact: We will contact your patient within 1-2 business days to arrange their study appointment.

Home Sleep Study Delivery Methods:

• Option 1: Self-Setup: Patient collects equipment from one of our clinics. Comprehensive instructional video and written instructions provided. Technical support available by phone.
• Option 2: Clinic Setup: Patient visits clinic in late afternoon for equipment attachment. Patient returns home immediately after setup. Equipment removed the following morning.
• Option 3: Home Visit: Our technicians visit patient's home for setup. Ideal for patients with mobility issues or complex needs. Additional fee applies based on location.
  

Processing & Reporting:

• Patient returns equipment the following morning
• Data analysed by our sleep scientists and reviewed by our sleep physician
• Complete report generated within 5-7 days
• All studies scored locally - no overseas processing

Results Communication:

• Reports sent to your practice via secure email
• Patient contacted directly to inform them results are available
• Follow up recommendations included in report

If CPAP Treatment is Recommended:

• Patients can be referred back to our clinic for CPAP trials
• One month trial period with ongoing support
• Compliance and tolerance monitoring throughout trial
• Equipment purchase options available
• ENABLE program applications for eligible patients
  

Item 12250 Eligibility: All Medicare subsidised studies must meet approval criteria:

• Epworth Sleepiness Scale score ≥8/24
• STOP-Bang questionnaire score ≥4

If criteria not met: Patients requiring assessment can be referred to our respiratory/sleep physician for consultation in Taree, Forster or Port Macquarie.

Referral Resources

Online Referral Form

PDF Referral Form

Home Sleep Study Referral Form

Contact Information:

Phone: 02 6550 0383

Mobile: 0455 583 399

Fax: 02 6519 8629

Email: [email protected]

Treatment Pathways

Primary Treatment Options:

• CPAP/APAP therapy (gold standard for moderate to severe OSA)
• Oral appliances (for mild to moderate OSA or CPAP intolerant patients)
• Positional therapy (for position dependent sleep apnoea)
• Lifestyle modifications (weight management, sleep hygiene)

Specialist Referrals

We maintain relationships with specialists for:

• ENT surgery consultations
• Orthodontic/dental appliance fitting
• Respiratory medicine
• Cardiology (for complex cases)

Ongoing Support

• Equipment maintenance and replacement
• Long term compliance monitoring
• Annual review studies when indicated
• Coordination with your ongoing care

Quality Assurance

Accreditation & Standards:

• Level 2 home sleep study capability
• Australian sleep medicine standards compliance
• Continuous professional development for all staff
• Regular equipment calibration and maintenance