Sleep in London: Short Days, NHS Sleep Clinics

In short

London gets barely eight hours of daylight in late December and over 16.5 in June. On the NHS, sleep apnoea is assessed by GP referral to a sleep or respiratory clinic, usually with a home sleep study first, in line with NICE guideline NG202; CPAP is supplied by the NHS after diagnosis. Guy’s and St Thomas’ runs a large Sleep Disorders Centre. NHS 111 is the advice line.

Daylight and your body clock in London

Daylight in LondonSunrise to sunset, local time (Europe/London). Computed for latitude 51.5°N.

Mid-June

04:4321:21

16.6 h

Mid-September

06:4619:00

12.2 h

Mid-December

08:0315:53

7.8 h

Mid-March

06:0318:12

12.1 h

Longest day about 16.6 hours (Mid-June), shortest about 7.8 hours (Mid-December) — a swing of 8.8 hours. Clocks change twice a year (last Sunday in March and last Sunday in October, British Summer Time).

Your body clock is set mainly by morning light, so the shape of these bars is the shape of your year: a 8.8-hour swing between the longest and shortest days changes when you feel sleepy, how easily you wake, and — for many people — mood. The guides below explain what to do with that.

What is different about sleeping in London

A London office worker in December can go the whole working week without seeing daylight: sunrise after 8, sunset before 4. This is the biggest seasonal factor in the city’s sleep, and the counter-measure is unglamorous — get outside in the morning, even for ten minutes, even under cloud.

Long commutes and late socialising compress the night from both ends. The bedtime-routine and sleep-hygiene guides are built for exactly that pattern.

Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted make jet lag a routine problem, and London’s 24-hour economy means shift work is common. Both have their own guides below.

Getting a sleep study in London

The rules are set at the national level. In short: In the UK, the route to a sleep study runs through your GP. If obstructive sleep apnoea is suspected, the GP refers you to a hospital sleep or respiratory clinic, which usually arranges an overnight home sleep study first; a full in-lab study is reserved for complex cases. NICE guideline NG202 (2021) sets out who should be investigated and treated, and CPAP is supplied and monitored by the NHS after diagnosis. Sleepy drivers must stop driving until assessed, and may need to inform the DVLA.

Full United Kingdom guide

Public and academic sleep centres

Where the public or academic system does sleep studies in London — listed for orientation, not as recommendations. All require a referral.

Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust — Sleep Disorders CentreClinics for snoring with daytime sleepiness or breathing pauses, and for complex sleep disorders; GP referral.

NHS 111 — dial 111 for urgent, non-emergency health advice.

Common sleep problems in London — and how these guides help

Short winter days and low moodExplains why less daylight shifts your body clock and what morning light, timing and activity do about it.Winter Darkness, Short Days, and Your Sleep Insomnia — trouble falling or staying asleepWhat insomnia is, why CBT-I is the first-line treatment, and when to talk with a doctor.Insomnia: What It Is and What Actually Helps Jet lagDirection, light timing, naps and what melatonin can and cannot do — so you recover in days, not weeks.Jet Lag Explained: How to Recover Faster Shift work and night shiftsAnchor sleep, light management, caffeine timing and the drive home, for rotating and night rosters.Shift Work and Sleep: Coping With Night Shifts Snoring and sleep apneaThe signs, the risks, how testing works and the treatment options — so you can decide whether to ask for a study.Sleep Apnea: Symptoms, Risks, and Treatments

Questions people ask

How do I get a sleep study on the NHS in London?

See your GP. If sleep apnoea is suspected they refer you to a sleep or respiratory clinic, which usually arranges a home sleep study first, in line with NICE guideline NG202. Treatment such as CPAP is then supplied by the NHS.

Is there a private option?

Yes, private sleep clinics exist across London. Results still need interpretation by a specialist, and NHS clinics may need to re-assess before providing CPAP.

Do I have to tell the DVLA about sleep apnoea?

If sleep apnoea causes excessive sleepiness, you must not drive until assessed and treated, and you may need to inform the DVLA. Check current DVLA guidance and ask the clinic.

Sleep in London: short winter days, the NHS pathway, and where to start