1 July 2022

A prescribed exercise programme that helps patients to lose weight and sleep better has just completed its first run at Wexham Park Hospital.

About 15 people with obesity or sleep apnoea took part in the 12-week SleepEx course.

Patients referred by their consultant or GP joined twice-weekly workouts led by a personal trainer, including one group session in the hospital gym and another held online.

Retired airport worker Nabeel Massoud, 64, suffers from sleep apnoea, which means he can have difficulty breathing while asleep, and frequently has panic attacks when he wakes.

He said of the SleepEx programme: “It really pushes you. The instructor is absolutely brilliant and she’s really positive.

“You’re not competing with anyone and we are all supporting each other.”

Organiser and respiratory consultant Dr Anita Jayadev said early data shows the programme has delivered good results by improving patients’ fitness.

A second run of the course began this week.