Respiratory Services

COVID-19 - Advice to respiratory patients

COVID-19 - Advice to respiratory patients PDF version

Guidance regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA): for people who routinely use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), their families and health care workers. 

General advice 

Home advice 

1. People with OSA should continue to use their CPAP at home as normal. 
2. There is no evidence that using CPAP makes you more likely to catch COVID-19, and nothing to suggest that CPAP will make you more unwell if you do catch it. 
3. If a CPAP user becomes unwell with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 (new cough and fever > 37.8 C), please follow government guidance regarding self and household isolation. 
4. We do not know whether CPAP makes virus spread worse within a household. This will be something you will need to consider when deciding whether or not to continue using CPAP if you are self-isolating with symptoms of COVID-19. You may wish to distance yourself from vulnerable household members by changing bedrooms or stopping CPAP for a short time. 
5. Any respiratory infection, particularly with a blocked nose, can make it more difficult to use CPAP. Try and persist, but if wearing CPAP makes you feel worse (e.g. by increasing coughing and disturbing sleep), then stop using it until your respiratory symptoms improve. Sleeping more upright, avoiding alcohol and using a mandibular advancement spilt if you have one, may help as alternatives to CPAP in reducing OSA a little in this period. Your OSA symptoms are likely to worsen over the week, but will resolve when you restart CPAP. 
6. Routine hygiene is adequate for infection control: changing machine filters routinely, cleaning surfaces, cleaning mask and tubing with handhot soapy water (washing up liquid) and washing hands regularly. 
7. Masks and machines should not be shared. 
8. Please use the telephone number/email address provided by your sleep centre for urgent issues with your equipment or sleep/OSA related symptoms. Do not attend in person unless instructed to do so. Please be aware the team may not be able to respond quickly, as staff may have been moved to Emergency Services. 
9. Please look after masks and tubing carefully as there may be a temporary shortage in the future. 
10. A reminder that DVLA says anyone with excessive sleepiness having or likely to have an adverse effect on driving must not drive. Sleep outpatient advice for hospitals • Routine out-patient visits should be avoided unless urgent. 
11. Remote monitoring and telephone consultations may be an option for some. 
12. Posting of masks and equipment from sleep centres should be encouraged, without patients attending. 

The respiratory service provides a comprehensive range of easily accessible outpatient services to care for local patients in Isle of Man. 

Respiratory outpatient clinics

Respiratory conditions treated at Noble's Hospital and Ramsey Cottage Hospital

Clinics at Nobles Hospital are run in the medical out patients. Please report to the main reception with your appointment letter for guidance.

Please call appointment services via Noble's Hospital switch board +44 1624 650000.

You could ask your GP to refer you for specific lung problem.

Asthma advice

We are working on an intermediate care service wherein patient could be seen within 24hrs; however, at this moment we don't have that facility. If you are really unwell please see your GP or attend A+E at Nobles hospital for further advice and treatment.

OR if you need advice regarding your inhalers or other non-urgent matter you could leave a message on +44 1634 650059 and specialist nurse will get back to you between 9am - 5pm weekdays.

Help to quit smoking

A specialist smoking service (Quit4You) to help smokers who really want to stop smoking and need some help. The aim of the service is to provide advice and support by fully trained advisors, based on up to date information around the many issues to do with smoking and trying to quit.

For more information about the Quit4You Stop Smoking Service, visit www.Quit4You.gov.im, telephone Public Health on +44 1624 642404 or e-mail: tobacco@gov.im 

Contact details