A MEDICAL drive-through has been launched in a bid to help patients with sleep apnoea to get tests and treatment during the coronavirus pandemic.

The respiratory physiology team at Ysbyty Gwynedd usually carries out on-site diagnostic testing for the breathing condition and prescribes continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, however the service was postponed in March as staff were redeployed to help with the Covid-19 response.

As part of the return of the service Ysbyty Gwynedd set up a number of temporary drive-throughs since June with its latest based at its Bryn y Neuadd site in Llanfairfechan, where the respiratory team will administer testing and provide CPAP machines for patients to take home.

CPAP devices are non-invasive ventilators most commonly to treat people experiencing stop-and-start breathing during sleep.

Ysbyty Gwynedd physiotherapist Alaw Holyfield said: “At the start of the pandemic our clinics were put on hold and we were only able to carry out telephone reviews at that time.

“Our patients were so understanding and very supportive but we knew we had to find a way to continue our service in a different way.

“We have worked hard to ensure our clinic is as safe as possible, our patients drop off and collect the equipment and we are on hand to go through everything with them and offer any support and provide reviews over the telephone."

“We have seen a number of patients so far who have provided us with great feedback and say they feel very comfortable coming to the clinic to collect their equipment.

“Our team are really pleased we can continue to offer our service and provide treatment for our patients during these uncertain times.”