A PILOT project is being trialled in parts of North Yorkshire to help combat sleeplessness in youngsters.

The Sleep Charity, an award-winning voluntary organisation based in Doncaster, has been commissioned to provide a sleep support service for youngsters in Scarborough and parts of Ryedale and Whitby.

It is a 12-month pilot project set up by the NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

As capacity is limited, initial priority will be given to children and young people who are being prescribed melatonin and may have previously accessed behavioural support services, but a variety of support options will be available for everyone who is referred.

The Sleep Charity will provide appropriate sleep advice and support including online one-to-one sleep clinics and developing sleep plans with families to help address the identified issues and establish a regular night-time sleep pattern.

All families will have follow-up support and where needed, will be referred to primary and secondary care for any medical investigations.

If the pilot scheme is successful, the CCG will consider expanding the service.

Dr Peter Billingsley, Scarborough GP and CCG Clinical Lead for vulnerable people, said: “Poor sleep can be debilitating and distressing for families and can lead to a number of physical and mental health issues which require intervention.

“The Sleep Charity’s work with other CCGs has made a huge difference to families and has in some cases reduced the need for interventions such as the prescribing of medication like melatonin.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what The Sleep Charity can do during this pilot project and I would encourage any parent whose child is currently being prescribed melatonin to speak to their GP about this service, or self-refer directly to The Sleep Charity if they just want access to general help and advice.”

Vicki Dawson, CEO of The Sleep Charity, said: “Quality sleep is essential for children’s growth and development yet up to 40 per cent of children and young people will experience a sleep problem at some point in their childhood.

"These problems are typically persistent and do not resolve themselves without intervention.

“A decent night’s sleep will help children to do better at school, allow them to react more quickly to situations, have a more developed memory and solve problems. Plus, it makes them less susceptible to colds and other minor ailments, less irritable and better behaved.

“Sleep deprivation causes increased hyperactivity and other behavioural problems, as well as damaging physical and mental development. Poor sleep habits from an early age can lead to long term sleep problems.”

To access the service, families in the pilot area can self-refer or speak to their GP.