What the service does
Who provides the service
How to access the service
Location of service
Useful links
What the service does
The Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Department provides inpatient and outpatient services for a range of conditions.
Inpatient services include day case procedures and hospital surgery, for example:
- cochlear implants
- complex head and neck surgery
- specialist anterior skull based surgery for adults and children
We have access to four theatres, a dedicated recovery area and separate adult and children’s wards for patients who need to stay overnight in hospital.
Outpatient services include an Audiology Department, Rapid Access Clinic, other specialist clinics and a hearing aid service.
We manage a range of conditions through our outpatients services, for example:
- Allergic rhinitis
- Dysphagia (swallowing problems)
- Earache
- Earwax
- Glue ear
- Hearing loss
- Mastoiditis
- Nasal polyps
- Nosebleeds
- Otitis externa (outer ear infection)
- Otitis media (middle ear infection)
- Sinusitis
- Tonsillitis and quinsy
Cancers
Who provides the service
Our service includes a range of healthcare professionals:
- Consultant otolaryngologists – doctors who specialise in ear, nose and throat conditions.
- Head and neck consultants – doctors who specialise in disorders of the head and neck, including head and neck cancer.
- Specialty doctors – doctors who specialise in ear, nose and throat conditions.
- Specialist trainees – doctors in the consultant training programme.
- Head and neck specialist nurses – nurses who provide specialist all round care for patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer.
- Registered nurses with specialist ENT / head and neck / airway training
- ENT registered nurses
- Audiologists – healthcare professionals who assess hearing and provide treatment and support for hearing needs.
- Clinical scientists – specialists who assess, diagnose and manage patients who have hearing, balance and tinnitus problems.
- Speech and language therapists – specialists who provide treatment, support and care for children and adults who have difficulties with communication, eating, drinking and swallowing.
- Dietitians – experts in the use of food and nutrition to promote health and manage disease.
- Physiotherapists – specialists who help patients affected by injury, illness or disability through movement and exercise, manual therapy, education and advice.
- Clerical staff – the admin team who manage patient records, appointments and enquiries.
How to access the service
We accept referrals from GPs and other hospital departments. Referrals are triaged based on clinical priority.
As a patient, you will initially be seen in ENT outpatients or the Rapid Access Clinic for a consultation. If necessary, you will be listed for surgery at this visit.
Most surgical treatment takes place on Ward 29 (adults) or Ward 31 (children).
Location of service
ENT outpatient services are available in:
- Level 8C of the Royal Victoria Hospital
- Wing F of Belfast City Hospital
- Outpatients Department in the Mater Hospital
- Beech Hall Wellbeing and Treatment Centre
ENT inpatient services are available on Ward 29 (adults) and Ward 31 (children) of the Royal Victoria Hospital. Both these wards are in the EENT Building.
Useful links
ENT UK
National Tracheostomy Safety Project
British Acoustic Neuroma Association (BANA)
National Association of Laryngectomee Clubs (NALC)
British Association of Head and Neck Oncologists
Macmillan
Cancer Focus NI