Ayr Amcal Chemist Brings Free Sleep Apnoea Testing to the Burdekin

Sleep apnoea is a condition many have heard of, but few truly understand. Its symptoms are vague—snoring, fatigue, restless nights—and often brushed off as nothing serious, but if left untreated, consequences can be far more damaging than mere daytime grogginess. The good news? It’s treatable. And, for residents of Ayr and surrounding communities, access to testing and treatment just got a lot easier.

Ayr Amcal Chemist is stepping in where larger healthcare services often fall short. For 12 years, the pharmacy has quietly offered sleep apnoea testing. Ayr Amcal Chemist's commitment and high quality of service in this area has now been recognised by Pharmacy Sleep Services, which has granted the Ayr team an exclusive role as Queensland’s only provider of free testing this September and October. For Ben and his staff, the goal is to drive awareness and advocacy for a condition that too often goes unnoticed.

Sleep apnoea, particularly obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), is an often overlooked sleep disorder. People with OSA experience repeated airway collapse during sleep, often for 10 seconds or longer, leaving them fatigued, stressed, and at risk of serious long-term health complications such as Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression.

Sleep apnoea can develop for a variety of reasons. Genetics, age, weight, and lifestyle all play a role, with men and older adults generally at higher risk. Anatomical factors, such as a narrower airway or enlarged tonsils, can contribute, as can underlying medical conditions. While some people may be predisposed, the condition can also develop gradually over time, often going unnoticed until symptoms interfere with daily life.

But the signs aren’t always telltale. Snoring, poor concentration, morning headaches, and irritability can all point to the condition, but are somewhat ambiguous and easy to dismiss. As a result, experts estimate that 80 per cent of sufferers are undiagnosed—a figure that Ayr Amcal Chemist is playing its part in shaving down.

“We’re trying to remove cost as an obstacle,” Ben explains. “It’s about increasing accessibility in our local community, and providing a service that was not already being fulfilled.”

Ayr Amcal’s sleep apnoea testing service is powered through a partnership with Pharmacy Sleep Services, a program that trains pharmacy staff to administer tests, offer CPAP therapy trials, and guide patients through the process from screening to treatment.

The testing procedure begins with a simple screening quiz, using the accredited Stop BANG Questionnaire and Epworth Sleepiness Scale to assess risk. If a patient’s results indicate OSA, they can take a home sleep test—a Level 3 device that requires no GP referral, is non-invasive, and can be returned the next day for rapid assessment.

Within 7–10 days, a dedicated sleep physician evaluates the results and weighs up therapy options. For patients diagnosed with OSA, a four-week CPAP therapy trial is available. Staff assist with mask fitting, machine settings, and ongoing monitoring to ensure the therapy is effective before purchase.

For some patients, the test can reveal more than just sleep apnoea.

One local resident, wishing to remain anonymous, initially went in thinking they had sleep apnoea, but the screening instead highlighted symptoms like shortness of breath, swelling, and irregular heartbeats. Further testing in Townsville revealed it was actually heart disease, and that any delay in treatment could have been life-threatening.

“They made the whole process so easy," they said. "I thank Sharon every day. It saved me."

For Ben, the work doesn’t stop at treatment. Like many health professionals, he sees the bigger challenge as making people aware of the condition and its symptoms, helping them recognise the often subtle signs before serious health consequences take hold.

“People don’t realise how under-diagnosed sleep apnoea is within the general population,” he said. “It’s intricately linked to people’s long-term health outcomes regarding mental health, diabetes, cardiovascular health, and when left untreated, all these risk factors just go through the roof.”

This hidden impact often shows up in unexpected ways, namely in weight management, explains Ben.

“If you’re sleep-deprived, you’re already under stress,” he said. “We often see people trying to lose weight, but their sleep apnoea works against them. Stress triggers cortisol, which raises blood sugar levels, and even with a good diet and exercise, the body stays stuck in that cycle.”

For Ben, access to a remedy should be a standard rather than a privilege—an ethos reflected in the community-focused care he and his team provide at Ayr Amcal Chemist.

“We know our clients intimately,” he said. “When you come into our shop, it’s an interaction, not just a transaction. Ben and his Amcal team look at people holistically and provide a more personable service than what you’d get in one of the big cities.

For the community, that means access to a service that could be fundamentally life-altering. For those who take part, the pharmacy offers immediate guidance and ongoing support. CPAP equipment can be trialed in the comfort of home, monitored by staff, and adjusted to individual needs. By removing barriers such as cost, travel, and waiting times, Ayr Amcal Chemist is making life-saving care genuinely accessible to the local community.

For September and October, the doors of Ayr Amcal Chemist are open to anyone curious or concerned about sleep apnoea. The home sleep tests, therapy trials, and expert advice are all free of charge—a rare opportunity that Ben hopes will set a new standard for rural healthcare across Queensland.

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