Respiratory and sleep medicine.
Respiratory and sleep medicine consultations at Excelsia across Earlwood, Bangor and Sans Souci. Assessment and management of lung conditions and sleep disorders, from asthma and COPD through sleep apnoea and chronic cough. GP referral required for the Medicare rebate.
Lungs and sleep.
Respiratory medicine is the medical specialty focused on the lungs and breathing. Sleep medicine, often practised alongside respiratory medicine, focuses on sleep disorders including obstructive sleep apnoea. Respiratory and sleep physicians assess and manage a wide range of conditions, from common concerns like asthma and chronic cough through to complex interstitial lung disease and sleep-related breathing disorders.
Care is coordinated with your GP. Your GP identifies the concern, prepares a referral, and continues general care while the specialist advises on the respiratory or sleep question.
Common reasons GPs refer.
History, exam, a plan.
Bring your GP referral, any recent test results (spirometry, chest imaging, sleep studies where relevant), a list of your current medications including inhalers, and any hospital or previous specialist letters.
For patients being referred about sleep, a description of your sleep patterns and any observations from your bed partner about snoring, breathing pauses or restless sleep is often useful.
For respiratory-related referrals, spirometry (a breathing test) is done in the practice one hour before your initial consultation, so your specialist has the results in hand for the consult. Sleep-only referrals with no respiratory symptoms don't need spirometry beforehand. If you're booked for a respiratory initial consult, please review the spirometry patient information sheet before your appointment.
- A detailed history including symptoms, sleep patterns, occupational exposures and family history.
- A clinical examination.
- Review of any tests you've already had.
- A management plan that may include further investigation (formal spirometry, sleep studies, imaging), medication adjustment, referral for CPAP or other therapy, and follow-up.
Across all three centres.
The Excelsia respiratory and sleep physician.
Respiratory and sleep medicine at Excelsia is delivered by Dr Clarissa Susanto, a Consultant Respiratory and Sleep Physician consulting from Earlwood and Bangor.
Dr Susanto consults in English and Bahasa. See her practitioner profile for full clinical background, qualifications, hospital appointments, and consulting days.
Privately billed.
Specialist consultations at Excelsia are private billing, with a Medicare rebate applying when a valid GP referral is in place. Fees vary by specialist and by the complexity of the consultation. Reception confirms the specific fee and expected out-of-pocket for your chosen specialist when you book.
For our general fee structure across the group, see the Fees & Billing page.
Common questions.
Do I need to see a GP first?
Yes. A GP referral is required for the Medicare rebate to apply.
Which initial appointment should I book, respiratory or sleep?
Your GP referral should indicate which one. If the referral relates to any respiratory concern (asthma, COPD, chronic cough, breathlessness, recurrent infections, or a mix of respiratory and sleep symptoms), book the Respiratory Medicine initial consult. If your referral is for sleep only with no respiratory symptoms, book the Sleep Medicine initial consult. If you're unsure, reception can help match your referral to the right appointment.
What should I bring?
Your GP referral, any recent test results (spirometry, chest imaging, sleep studies), medication list including inhalers, and any hospital or previous specialist letters.
Will I need a sleep study?
Sometimes. If your referral is about a suspected sleep disorder, a sleep study is often part of the assessment. Your specialist will discuss what type of study is appropriate for you.
Will I need spirometry?
For respiratory-related referrals, yes: spirometry is done in the practice one hour before your initial consult, so your specialist has the results in hand for the appointment. See the spirometry patient information sheet for what to expect. Sleep-only referrals with no respiratory symptoms don't need spirometry beforehand.
Is asthma covered?
Yes. Asthma is a substantial part of respiratory medicine practice, particularly asthma that is difficult to control on standard treatment.
Is snoring alone a reason for referral?
Where snoring is affecting your daytime function or where you or your bed partner have noticed pauses in breathing, yes. Snoring alone without other features may not need specialist review; your GP will help decide.
