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The Irish Sleep Apnoea Trust is a non political, non profit making Patient Support Group for sufferers (and their families) of Sleep Apnoea.

The ethos and management style of the Irish Sleep Apnoea Trust is one of transparency in its decision making process coupled with a commitment to serve and deliver benefits to the members. Effective communication is a cornerstone of this style.

To ensure delivery of these and our principal aims, our Committee is elected annually and is governed by membership approved Rules, and Accounting and Administrative Procedures and Controls. This is in addition to the normal regulations governing corporate bodies. The Committee Structure provides for membership representation from each of the Health Board areas, and local committees, to ensure regular contact and input from all opinions within the Trust.

Regular contact is also maintained through our newsletter and email updates.
Our web site is used as an information, awareness and communication portal for our members and the general public. It also acts as an important communications portal for interaction with other groups, feedback and membership surveys.

A Management Committee, comprising the Honorary Officers (Chairman, Vice Chairman, Company Secretary, and Honorary Treasurer) and a representative from our Medical Council deal with the day to day running of the Trust.

ISAT was established in May 2000 following an initial exploratory meeting of patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS), at St. Vincent's University Hospital.  The initial specific aims of the Trust were to support patients with OSAS and their families, to promote improved facilities for the investigation and management of this disorder, and to support medical research.  A steering committee initially worked over the lead 9 months to develop a detailed set of rules and regulations in addition to articles of association.  Almost 200 patients with OSAS signed up to attend the inaugural Annual General Meeting.  The First annual meeting of the Irish Sleep Apnoea Trust (ISAT), in Gaelic, "Iontaobhas Apnoea Codlata na hÉireann" was held at St. Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4 on Saturday 3^rd March 2001.  Delegates were asked to and approved the rules and regulations and articles of association.  A formal committee structure was established for the Trust.  It was envisaged that, as interest grew, regional branches of ISAT would be established throughout the country. 
 
The Respiratory Sleep Disorders Unit at St. Vincent's University Hospital was established in 1985 and provides a national referral service for the investigation and treatment of patients with OSAS.  Treatment with nasal CPAP is highly effective and can transform the lives of affected patients.

THE AIMS OF THE IRISH SLEEP APNOEA TRUST

• To increase public and professional understanding of the significance of the diagnosis and the correct treatment of Sleep Apnoea in terms of good health, safety and the economy.
   

• To reduce the incidence of health and safety problems related to insufficient sleep and undiagnosed and untreated Sleep Apnoea.
   

• To actively lobby for and support increased education about and scientific research into the diagnosis and treatment of Sleep Apnoea.
   

• To advocate public policy initiatives which promote education about, research into and treatment of Sleep Apnoea.
   

• To research and collate information on the dangers to sufferers of Sleep Apnoea and disseminate this information to the public, patients, healthcare professionals, the appropriate public authorities and employers through active advocacy, information leaflets, media releases, educational events and a website.
   

• To work with government agencies, professional bodies and industry to increase public awareness of the problems related to Sleep Apnoea.
   

• To promote evidence-based best practice and promote the availability of such clinical services for Sleep Apnoea sufferers in all areas of Ireland.
   

• To seek governmental, charitable and commercial funding for research into Sleep Apnoea to allow improved treatment.

ACHIEVING OUR AIMS

It is not possible to place a time constraint on the aims of our group, mainly because situations change, particularly in the medical field.  The nub of our aims is to deliver both tangible benefits and relevant information to our members, to improve facilities and resources (within Ireland) for the diagnosis and treatment of Sleep Apnoea and to assist in or fund research into the disorder.

To achieve this ISAT will:

• Promote and Advocate awareness of Sleep Apnoea

• To the public

• To the medical profession

• To Government

• To Employer Groups

By way of:

• Production of promotional printed and visual materials
   

• Committed positive advocacy
   

• Use of all local media resources
   

• Use of all national media resources
   

In partnership with the Dept of Health and Children/Health Service Executive Boards

Provide support to medical, nursing and treatment services
 

By way of:

• Identifying specific needs and shortcomings
   

• Being aware of global developments through effective networking with other groups
   

• Being proactive in our approach
   

• Working in tandem with existing services
   

• Encourage the formation and development of an Irish Sleep Society by the medical and technical professionals dealing with Sleep Apnoea in Ireland.

• Encourage the Department of Health and Children to introduce a suitable national structure for clinics dealing with Sleep Apnoea.
   

Develop an effective lobbying body

By way of:

• Development of a flexible, effective results driven lobbying plan for Politicians,
   

• Health Insurers, Industry and Legal groups
   

• Use of the Freedom of Information Act and/or Parliamentary Questions
   

• Liaise closely with and form firm links with similar type groups
   

• Develop close links with the media, politicians and state agencies