The team at Auckland Sleep has a combined experience of over 50 years dealing with sleep issues and associated concerns (such as sleep apnoea, restless leg syndrome, ENT issues, mental health).
We also work closely with a wider network of colleagues who are experts in jaw surgery, weight management surgery, sleep dentistry, orthodontics, psychology, sleep health in babies, nutrition and active lifestyle therapies.
No matter what your sleep healthcare needs are, we have got you covered!
Sumit Samant
Dr Sumit Samant (MBBS, DLO, DORL, FCPS, MS, DNB, MRCS, FRACS) is an upper airway surgeon specialising in surgery for the nose, sinuses, palate and tongue to treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea. He is a New Zealand trained Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and a member of the national training committee in ENT.
He is the founder and Chair of the Regional Auckland Sleep Multi-Disciplinary Meeting. He is also a member of the International Surgical Sleep Society, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Australasian Sleep Association and the World Sleep Society.
Sumit founded Auckland Sleep to promote better outcomes for patients suffering from sleep disorders. Having noticed patients continually struggling with poor sleep despite clinical therapies, his goal was to change the approach of diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. You can read more about Sumit here and here.
James WethaSinghe
Dr. James Wethasinghe (MBChB 2010, PGCertCPU 2015, FRACP sleep 2018, FRACP General Medicine 2020) is an Auckland trained Respiratory and Sleep Specialist with dedicated formal training in Sleep Medicine.
James is currently working as a Respiratory and General Physician in Waitemata DHB . He is actively involved in the development of the Waitemata District Health Board Sleep Service . His research interests are broad. He has published and participated in large multicentre international randomized trials during his Sleep Fellowship. He has presented at international and local conferences.
Since 2018, James has been actively involved in formally teaching RACP candidates and is a honorary lecturer at the University of Auckland. James is experienced in treating all Respiratory and Sleep conditions and is happy to accept all referrals. You can read more about James here.
Anitha Vivekanandan
Qualifications: Brief Behavioral Therapy, Advanced Cognitive Therapy & Teen Sleep Practitioner (WINK Sleep) Cert. in Fundamentals of Sleep Medicine (University of Sydney) Masters in Surgery & DNB – ORL (India)
Anitha is our Senior Sleep Navigator and Insomnia Specialist at Auckland Sleep. With a career spanning over 20 years in the medical field, she now works exclusively to help adults and teens having chronic insomnia. She is a Member of the Malaysian Society of Otorhinolaryngologists – Head and Neck Surgeons and the Asean Sleep Surgical Society.
Anitha also offers invaluable Sleep Coach support to our patients and advocates for unique needs of each patient to ensure we deliver sleep healthcare in the most equitable way possible.
Pratiksha Ramji
Qualifications: Post-graduate Diploma endorsed in Sleep Medicine (University of Otago) Post-graduate Certificate in Medical Technology (University of Otago) Double Science major in Sport Science and Psychology (University of Auckland)
Pratiksha is our Senior Sleep Physiologist at Auckland Sleep. She specialises in sleep analysis, positive airway pressure therapy and mandibular advancement device fitting. She has worked at some of the busiest Sleep centres in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
She fell into the field of Sleep Physiology because it combines her analytical mind and joy of helping others. She is a member of the Australia New Zealand Sleep Science Association and Clinical Physiologist Registration Board. Outside of work you’ll find her eating Japanese food or any food for that matter!
Sandra van de Water
Sandra van de Water manages the administration for Auckland Sleep and also Sumit’s specialist clinic at ENT Associates. Sandra comes with a wealth of experience both in the medical and legal field. She has held a number of senior roles both in NZ and in the UK.
Sandra supports our patients’ journeys by liaising with funding bodies, hospitals and other organisations to make our patients’ journeys as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Sandra is married to Pete and has three teenage children. Her family have been involved with their local scout group for many years. She regularly volunteers as sous chef to the camp cook, her husband. She enjoys camping holidays and loves to grab a boogie board and hit the surf in the heat of the summer. In winter, family game nights with a glass of mulled wine and dining out with her hubby are things she enjoys.
Auckland Sleep provides a multi-faceted approach to treating sleep disorders. Our goal is to provide the best possible sleep treatments, accessible to everyone in the community.