How Does an Online Sleep Consultation Work?
Getting proper help for insomnia used to mean a referral, a waiting list, and a trip to a specialist's rooms — often in another part of the city. Slumbr is an online, physician-led sleep clinic that makes that level of care available to anyone in South Africa, from wherever they are.
This page explains what an online sleep consultation actually involves, what to expect at each appointment type, and how it differs from a quick GP visit about sleep.
Key takeaways
- An online sleep consultation at Slumbr is a structured clinical appointment with a physician who specialises in insomnia — conducted via secure video, nationwide.
- Consultations are not a quick chat or a prescription service; they involve a full history, medication and health review, and a personalised plan.
- Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the internationally recognised first-line approach for chronic insomnia (AASM 2021 / ESRS 2023); medication is only considered where clinically appropriate, never as a first step.
- There are two appointment types: initial (for new patients) and follow-up (for patients returning to review progress or adjust their plan).
- Current pricing: Initial Consultation R1,500 · Follow-up Consultation R1,200 (see the consultation page for current pricing).
- Before your appointment, you will be asked to complete a pre-consult intake form so the physician can prepare.
What makes an online sleep consultation different from a GP visit?
A general practitioner does vital work — but a GP appointment rarely leaves room for the depth a sleep problem requires. Insomnia has a range of drivers: behavioural, physiological, psychiatric, and pharmacological. Understanding it properly takes time and a structured framework.
Slumbr's physicians focus specifically on sleep: a dedicated history, a medication review, screening for conditions that commonly co-exist with insomnia, and a personalised plan.
What happens at an initial consultation?
The initial consultation is your first full appointment with a Slumbr physician. It typically covers:
Your sleep history A detailed account of your sleep pattern — bedtime, time to fall asleep, night wakings, wake time, and daytime impact — plus how long the problem has been going on and how it developed.
Your medical and medication history Many medications can disrupt sleep, including some commonly prescribed for blood pressure, depression, thyroid conditions, and pain. The physician reviews what you are currently taking alongside your relevant health history.
Screening for related conditions Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea, restless legs, low mood, and anxiety are screened for — these can be primary drivers of sleep difficulty and may need to be addressed alongside or ahead of insomnia-specific treatment.
Your personalised plan Your physician gives you a personalised plan based on your full assessment. Prescription medication is only considered where clinically appropriate, and is never directly purchasable.
What happens at a follow-up consultation?
A follow-up consultation is for patients who have already had an initial appointment and are returning to:
- Review how they have responded to the plan
- Adjust or progress the approach based on what has and has not worked
- Discuss prescription review, if medication was part of the original plan
- Address any new developments or concerns
Follow-up appointments are typically shorter than initial consultations, focused on progress and refinement rather than a full history.
How does the online format work?
Appointments take place via secure video. You will need a stable internet connection and a private space where you can speak freely. Appointments are available to patients anywhere in South Africa — no travel required.
Before your appointment: you will complete a pre-consult intake form covering your sleep history, health background, and medications — allowing the physician to prepare in advance.
During your appointment: the physician conducts the consultation in real time via video. It is a live clinical appointment, not a chat-based or asynchronous service.
After your appointment: you will receive your personalised plan in writing.
What does a sleep consultation cost?
Current pricing:
| Appointment type | Price |
|---|---|
| Initial Specialist Sleep Consultation | R1,500 |
| Follow-up Consultation | R1,200 |
(See the consultation page for current pricing.)
Payment is processed securely through Shopify checkout. Slumbr accepts card, instant EFT, and a range of other payment methods.
Who are the consultations for?
Slumbr's online sleep consultations are for adults aged 18 and over who are experiencing difficulty sleeping and would like a proper clinical assessment and plan.
You may be coming to Slumbr as your first step after struggling with sleep for some time, or because a GP has suggested you see a sleep physician, or because you have already tried self-help or CBT-I and want to understand what else can be done.
Slumbr does not provide emergency care. If you are in crisis or have thoughts of self-harm, please contact SADAG on 0800 567 567 (24 hours, 7 days a week) or go to your nearest emergency unit.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral to book an online sleep consultation?
No. You can book directly through the Slumbr website without a GP referral. If you have relevant recent test results or letters from other treating doctors, it is helpful to have these available, but they are not required.
What should I do before my consultation?
Complete the pre-consult intake form when prompted — it is sent after you book. It is also helpful to keep a brief note of your sleep pattern in the days before your appointment (bedtime, how long it took to fall asleep, any night wakings, wake time). This gives the physician a clearer picture from the start.
Will I definitely be prescribed medication?
Not necessarily — and not as a first step. CBT-I is the internationally recognised first-line approach for chronic insomnia. Prescription medication is only considered where clinically appropriate, in consultation with you during the appointment — it is never an automatic outcome of booking.
How is this different from booking a sleep study?
A sleep study (polysomnography) is a specific diagnostic test for conditions like obstructive sleep apnoea — not the same as a consultation. A physician consultation involves a clinical assessment of your sleep history and health, leading to a personalised plan. If a sleep study is indicated, your physician can discuss this with you.
Ready to book?
A consultation with a Slumbr physician gives you a structured, evidence-based assessment of your sleep — and a clear, personalised plan for what to do about it.
Book a consultation — or start with the free Sleep Pattern Assessment if you are not sure yet.
Reviewed by a specialist physician.