The Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has become the first in the South West to offer a pioneering implant for people with obstructive sleep apnoea.
The device provides a new treatment option for patients who cannot tolerate traditional CPAP therapy.
Joseph Sinnott, ear, nose and throat consultant at the Trust, said: “This is a very exciting development for our patients.
“While CPAP remains the gold standard for many, we know it doesn’t work for everyone.
“Being able to offer this implant gives us a new way to support people whose sleep apnoea has been difficult to manage.
“For the right patients, this treatment can be life-changing – improving sleep, reducing daytime fatigue, and lowering the risk of serious long-term conditions such as heart disease or stroke.”
The implant can be placed in the chest or under the chin.
It works by stimulating muscles to keep the airway open during sleep, reducing snoring and breathing interruptions.
Catherine Turnbull, the first patient in the region to receive the Inspire device, described the procedure as “revolutionary.”
Ms Turnbull said: “I stop breathing many times in the night because my tongue falls over my airway and I snore, badly.
“The device is revolutionary, I think.
“I won’t be tied to a CPAP machine, nobody knows its there and I can just live my life normally.
“If I want to stay away somewhere for the night, I won’t need to think about taking anything with me.
“When I’m travelling, I won’t need to lug a CPAP machine with me anywhere.
“It’s really good, really exciting and will mean I can prolong my life.
“It’s definitely the way forward.”
Obstructive sleep apnoea affects thousands of people across the UK and is commonly treated with CPAP machines.
However, some patients find the machines difficult to tolerate or claustrophobic.
The implant offers a promising alternative.
Ed Holyoak, Director UK & Nordics for Inspire Medical Systems GmbH, said: “We are truly grateful to Mr Sinnott and the whole team at the Great Western Hospital for their trust in Inspire therapy.
“It takes significant commitment to pioneer a new program like this.
“Congratulations on this milestone, which opens up a huge opportunity for patients in the South West who cannot benefit from CPAP.”
Patients will be assessed by the Trust’s multidisciplinary sleep team to determine if the implant is appropriate for their condition.