Sleep medicine · London
CPAP titration & fitting clinic - London.
Private CPAP titration and mask fitting for obstructive sleep apnoea - a named sleep physiologist, a choice of ResMed, Philips or Löwenstein machines, and free mask exchange within 30 days.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A named sleep physiologist, in a specialist ventilation unit
Not a machine handed to you in a bag. A named sleep physiologist runs the titration and fitting, in a unit with ventilation and respiratory back-up.
- 02
The right pressure and the right mask
CPAP fails when the mask leaks or the pressure is wrong. We fit two or three masks, run APAP or an attended titration, and confirm compliance data.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
What CPAP is
Continuous positive airway pressure - the gold-standard for moderate to severe OSA.
A quiet bedside machine, a soft mask, and pressurised room air that splints the upper airway open through the night. It is not oxygen and it is not a drug - it is a mechanical answer to a mechanical problem.
CPAP delivers a gentle, continuous stream of pressurised room air through a mask worn during sleep. The pressure acts as a pneumatic splint, holding the tongue, soft palate and pharyngeal walls open so that obstructive events (apnoeas and hypopnoeas) do not occur. Used every night at the right pressure, it abolishes snoring, restores oxygen saturation, and returns sleep architecture close to normal within a fortnight.
Indicative pricing
What CPAP titration and fitting costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner sleep units. Send the sleep-study report and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
Titration + fitting + machine, all-inclusive: £850–£2,400, or from £45/month on rental.
| Package | Indicative range | Typical duration | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial consultation and mask fitting only | £220–£380 | 60–90 min | Same visit |
| APAP auto-titration (2–4 weeks) with machine and mask | £850–£1,600 | 4 weeks | Report at 4 weeks |
| Premium package (ResMed AirSense 11 + heated humidifier + premium mask) | £1,400–£2,400 | 4 weeks | Report at 4 weeks |
| In-lab attended titration polysomnography | £1,600–£2,400 | 1 night | Report in 7–10 days |
| Monthly rental (machine, mask, humidifier) | £45–£95/month | Ongoing | Same-week start |
| Annual consumables replacement (mask, tubing, filters) | £280–£450 | 30 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by unit, by machine brand, by mask model, and by whether a heated humidifier is included. Insurer packages differ again. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
The right pressure, the right mask, the right first month.
CPAP fails when the mask leaks, the pressure is wrong, or nobody answers the phone in week one. We solve all three.
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Is the pressure right?
APAP for most, in-lab titration for complex cases - and a review of the data at four weeks before a fixed pressure is set.
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Is the mask right?
Two or three mask styles trialled at fitting. Free mask exchange within 30 days if it does not suit at home.
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Is there support in week one?
A named physiologist reachable by phone or WhatsApp for leaks, dry mouth, aerophagia and congestion - the moment when most patients give up.
The journey
From sleep study to fixed pressure - what happens, in order.
One team from first message to the four-week review - including the fitting, the titration and the compliance data.
Phase 1 · Before your fitting
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · Fitting day
60 to 90 minutes at the sleep clinic
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
You send us the sleep-study report
A short, confidential form. Your AHI, oxygen nadir, and any prior mask or machine you have tried. Insurer or self-pay noted.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: which titration route fits, which mask style suits your breathing pattern, and an indicative price with two or three options.
- 03
Before
We book the fitting
Usually within one to two weeks. Machine and mask options are set aside for the appointment; humidifier and heated tubing added where useful.
- 04
Fitting day
Arrival at the sleep clinic
A 60 to 90 minute appointment with the sleep physiologist. Face measurement, mask trial, education on cleaning and travel.
- 05
Fitting day
Titration route confirmed
For most, an APAP machine at home for 2 to 4 weeks. For complex cases, an attended in-lab titration night with a physiologist adjusting pressure in real time.
- 06
Fitting day
Home the same day with the machine
Machine paired to the MyAir or DreamMapper app on your phone. Written aftercare, humidifier setup, and a WhatsApp line for the first month.
- 07
After
Four-week review and fixed pressure
Compliance data reviewed. Mask exchanged free within 30 days if it does not suit. A fixed pressure set once APAP data has settled, if that is the plan.
Typical end-to-end: 1–2 weeks to fitting. Titration: 2–4 weeks APAP. Review: 4 weeks.
When it helps
When CPAP is the right step - and when BiPAP or ASV fits better.
The clinical situations we see most, plus the ones where CPAP is set aside for BiPAP, ASV or an implantable option.
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Moderate to severe OSA on sleep study
AHI over 15 events per hour, or over 5 with symptoms - CPAP is the gold-standard first-line treatment.
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Excessive daytime sleepiness (Epworth over 10)
Persistent sleepiness, morning headaches and cognitive fog that a partner or a sleep study links to apnoea.
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Witnessed apnoeas and loud snoring
A partner describes pauses in breathing, choking or gasping arousals - a common trigger for referral.
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Cardiovascular comorbidity
Resistant hypertension, atrial fibrillation, heart failure or a recent stroke where OSA control lowers cardiovascular risk.
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MAD or positional therapy has failed
A mandibular advancement device or positional therapy has not controlled the AHI - CPAP is the next step.
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Pre-operative optimisation
CPAP set up before elective surgery in known OSA to reduce peri-operative respiratory risk.
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Overlap syndrome (OSA plus COPD)
BiPAP rather than CPAP is often the right choice - assessed at the fitting and titration appointment.
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Red flag: sleepiness at the wheel
Falling asleep while driving is a DVLA-notifiable safety issue - urgent titration and compliance data are needed.
Titration & machines
Two titration routes, three main machines, one honest recommendation.
Attended in-lab titration for complex cases, APAP auto-titration for most. Choice of ResMed, Philips or Löwenstein - not a single-brand contract.
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APAP auto-titration at home
A ResMed AirSense 11 AutoSet or equivalent adjusts pressure night by night over 2 to 4 weeks. The modern first-line for most uncomplicated OSA.
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In-lab attended titration
A polysomnography night with a sleep physiologist adjusting pressure in real time. The most precise route for complex cases, central events, or overlap syndrome.
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Empirical fixed pressure
A fixed pressure chosen from height, neck size and AHI, without titration. Rarely used now - kept for travel back-up or where APAP is not tolerated.
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CPAP vs BiPAP
BiPAP delivers two pressures (inspiratory and expiratory) for higher pressure needs, COPD overlap, obesity hypoventilation or central apnoea. Decided at fitting.
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ResMed AirSense 11 AutoSet
The most common UK machine in 2026. Built-in cellular reporting, quiet motor, MyAir smartphone app for nightly compliance and leak data.
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Philips DreamStation 2
Post-recall clean stock now widely available. DreamMapper app, heated tube option, small footprint suitable for bedside tables.
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Löwenstein prisma20A
A quieter German alternative, gaining UK availability. Auto-titration, integrated humidifier, well-liked for light sleepers and light-sleeping partners.
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Heated humidifier and tubing
A heated humidifier reduces nasal congestion, dry mouth and rainout. Standard on our premium package, retrofitted to basic packages on request.
Mask types
The mask is two-thirds of the therapy.
We select from three families based on your breathing pattern, facial anatomy and any claustrophobia. Two or three masks trialled at fitting.
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Nasal pillow (AirFit P30i, Swift FX)
Two soft silicone pillows in the nostrils. Minimal facial contact, best for the claustrophobic and for beards. Best for lower pressures.
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Nasal mask (AirFit N30, N20)
Covers the nose only. The workhorse - well-tolerated, good seal across a wide pressure range, and a good first choice for most patients.
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Full-face mask (AirFit F20, F30)
Covers nose and mouth - the answer for mouth-breathers, chronic nasal blockage, or higher pressures where a nasal mask leaks.
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Hybrid interface
Nasal pillows plus a mouth cushion - a low-profile alternative to full-face for mouth-breathers who dislike a bulky mask.
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For facial hair or a narrow bridge
Pillow interfaces and F30 style masks with a lower seal line clear beards and avoid the nasal bridge - two of the commonest fitting problems.
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For claustrophobia
Start with a nasal pillow, add short awake-wearing practice sessions, and defer any mask that touches the forehead - most patients settle within two weeks.
Where in London
A small panel of London sleep and ventilation centres, we picked them.
Specialist sleep centres with high CPAP volumes. Introductions are made privately, once we understand your case and your insurer.
Selection criteria
How we choose every sleep centre in our network.
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Sleep physiologists with high CPAP fitting volumes, not general respiratory clinics
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Specialist sleep and ventilation centres, with ventilation back-up for complex cases
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A choice of ResMed, Philips and Löwenstein machines, not a single-brand contract
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Free mask exchange within 30 days, and phone or WhatsApp support in the first month
Royal Brompton Sleep and Ventilation Centre
The London Sleep Centre
HCA The Wellington Sleep
Cromwell BUPA Sleep
One Welbeck Sleep
London Bridge Hospital Sleep Service
Safety and first-month support
What to expect in the first four weeks - honestly.
CPAP is very safe. The things worth planning are the mask leak in week one, the dry mouth in week two, and the compliance data at week four.
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Mask leak and skin marks
The commonest problem in week one. Fitting adjustment, a different mask style or a skin liner solves most cases without changing pressure.
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Dry mouth and nasal congestion
A heated humidifier and heated tubing settle this in most patients. A chin strap helps mouth-breathers on nasal masks.
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Aerophagia (swallowed air)
Bloating and belching from air swallowed at higher pressures - often improved by lowering EPR, changing position, or switching to BiPAP.
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Claustrophobia and mask anxiety
A nasal pillow interface is often the answer. Desensitisation - wearing the mask awake for short periods - helps most patients settle within two weeks.
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Compliance data matters
Insurers, the DVLA and the sleep team all look at usage - typically over 4 hours per night on 70% of nights. We help you hit it.
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Central apnoea on CPAP
A small number of patients develop treatment-emergent central apnoea on CPAP. Picked up on the machine data - a switch to ASV or BiPAP may be needed.
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Cleaning and consumables
Weekly mask and tubing wash, filter change monthly, mask cushion every 3 months, tubing yearly. We send a schedule with the machine.
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Travel and airlines
CPAP counts as medical equipment on all UK airlines and does not count against hand luggage. A travel letter and universal power adapter are supplied.
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Red flags after starting
New chest pain, worsening breathlessness, or waking gasping despite CPAP - call the sleep unit the same day.
Reading your CPAP notes
Your CPAP report in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever machine you were fitted with, the report the sleep physiologist sends you keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Sleep-medicine language is precise and can read coldly - we translate it for you.
If you would like us to talk you through the report before your review, just ask.
- 01 Header
Machine, mask and prescribed pressure
Which machine you were fitted with, mask model and size, prescribed pressure range (APAP) or fixed pressure (CPAP), and EPR setting.
- 02 Technique
Titration route and humidifier setup
Attended in-lab titration or APAP at home, ramp settings, humidifier temperature, tubing type, and any comfort features enabled.
- 03 Findings
Compliance and residual AHI
Nightly usage hours, days used over 4 hours, residual AHI on machine data, leak percentiles, and central versus obstructive split.
- 04 Impression
Fixed pressure, follow-up and consumables
Read this first: whether a fixed pressure is being set, when the next review is, mask exchange window, and consumables schedule.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover for CPAP varies by insurer - most fund the sleep study and consultation, and many fund the machine. We confirm cover before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about CPAP.
Quick answers on titration length, masks, travel, insurance, cleaning, and APAP versus fixed pressure.
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How long does CPAP titration take?
For most patients we run APAP auto-titration at home for 2 to 4 weeks - the machine adjusts pressure night by night and we review the data at the end. An in-lab attended titration is a single overnight polysomnography with a physiologist adjusting pressure in real time, reserved for complex cases, central apnoea or overlap syndrome.
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Can I change my mask if it does not suit?
Yes. Most of our partner clinics include a free mask exchange within 30 days of fitting - if a nasal pillow leaks or a full-face mask feels claustrophobic, we swap it. The commonest change is from nasal mask to nasal pillow, or from nasal to full-face for mouth-breathers.
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Can I travel with a CPAP machine?
Yes. UK airlines treat CPAP as medical equipment - it does not count against your hand-luggage allowance. Modern machines run on universal 100 to 240V power and most have a battery pack option for camping or long-haul flights. A travel letter is supplied with the machine.
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Will my insurance cover CPAP?
Cover varies. Most major UK insurers (Bupa, AXA, Vitality, Aviva, WPA) fund the sleep study and consultation, and some fund the machine outright, while others reimburse a fixed contribution. We confirm cover before booking and can arrange self-pay or monthly rental if cover is partial.
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How do I clean my CPAP?
Wash the mask cushion daily with mild soap and warm water. Wash the tubing and humidifier chamber weekly. Change the machine air filter monthly. Replace the mask cushion every 3 months and the full tubing yearly. We send a written schedule and set consumables reminders in the app.
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What is the difference between APAP and fixed CPAP?
APAP (auto-titrating) adjusts pressure night by night between a set minimum and maximum, responding to your breathing. Fixed CPAP delivers one pressure all night. Most patients start on APAP for titration and either stay on APAP long-term or have a fixed pressure set from the data once it has settled.
Related
Looking for something else?
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Inspire hypoglossal nerve stimulator
Implantable option when CPAP has failed.
Learn more -
Mandibular advancement device fitting
A custom oral appliance for mild to moderate OSA.
Learn more -
Positional therapy for OSA
For patients whose apnoea is largely supine.
Learn more -
Sleep study
The in-lab or home polygraphy that starts the pathway.
Learn more -
Sleep apnoea (condition)
Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options.
Learn more
Ready to sleep properly
Send us your sleep-study report. We come back within a working day.
A named sleep physiologist, a choice of machines, and a real person on WhatsApp for the first month. Free, and independent.