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Paediatric ear, nose and throat (ENT)

What the service does
Who provides the service
How to access the service
Location of service
Useful links


What the service does

The paediatric ear, nose and throat (ENT) service helps doctors and surgeons manage children with conditions that affect their ear, nose, throat, neck or airway. The doctors we help include:

  • general practitioners (GPs)
  • paediatricians (children’s doctors)
  • Intensive Care Unit (ICU) doctors
  • neonatal doctors (newborn baby doctors)

The service manages all ENT conditions until a child reaches the age of 16. This work includes:

  • secondary care for hearing loss, tonsillectomy or grommets (treatment for glue ear and ear infections)
  • care for complex cysts and sinuses of the head and neck, including vascular birthmarks
  • care for congenital and acquired cholesteatoma
  • cochlear implants for children with hearing impairments
  • management of drooling
  • care for head and neck tumours, including papillomatosis of the larynx or airway
  • care for neonatal or congenital airway problems
  • tracheostomy and long-term ventilation advice

Who provides the service?

  • Consultant paediatric ENT surgeons
  • Associate specialist in ENT
  • Nurse specialists
  • Ward sister
  • Senior respiratory physiologist
  • Senior paediatric audiologists
  • Administration and management staff

How to access the service

Children must be referred by one of the following:

  • GP
  • paediatrician
  • other ENT surgeon

Waiting lists can be long due to the number of referrals. Sometimes it is appropriate to see an audiologist or nurse specialist for assessment.

Location of service

The paediatric ear, nose and throat (ENT) service is based in two locations:

  • Children’s Hospital (up to 14th birthday)
  • Royal Victoria Hospital Eye and Ear Clinic (up to 16th birthday)

Useful links


Locations where this service is delivered

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