Ear Nose and Throat Service (ENT)
We provide consultation, advice, and treatment from consultants, specialist GPs, and specialist nurses for various ENT problems. Our community ENT service is consultant-led and accepts referrals from across the Wirral for patients aged 16 and above. You may be required to have a hearing test before your appointment or other tests may be performed at the time of the appointment.
Who will access my eligibility?
Your GP will assess your referral and determine if our service is appropriate for you. Once a referral has been made, we will carefully consider your symptoms to ensure that we can provide the best care available.
What happens after I am referred?
If you have a Ear Nose and Throat problem that requires further examination or treatment from a specialist, we are here to help. Upon referral, we offer convenient appointments and can perform various tests, such as blood tests and biopsies, as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the inclusion criteria?
Conditions suitable for refferal into ENT service:
- Chronic Rhinitis
- Recurring Epistaxis (not acute stage)
- Acute Rhinitis
- Foreign Body etc
- Sinusitis
- Rhinosinusitis
- Blocked Nose (DNS/Polypi etc)
- Tonsillitis
- Recurring Sore Throat
- Pharyngitis
- Hoarseness
- Globus Symptoms
- Deafness
- Dizziness/ Vestibular Disorders (Tinnitus?)*
- Chronic Otorrhoea
- Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media
- Infected Mastoid Cavity
- Impacted Wax/ Foreign Bodies
- Chronic Otitis Externa*
- Foreign Bodies, Impacted Wax
- Acute Otitis Media*
- Acute Otitis Externa*
- Anosmia
What is the exclusion criteria?
- All patients under the age of 16 years
- Suspected cancer, patients will be referred directly to secondary care under the 2-week rule
- Acute mastoiditis
- Treatments not normally funded by the NHS
What happens during my appointment?
Please report to reception when you arrive and they will be able to direct you and help you with any information that you may need. You will be seated in the waiting area until you are called for your appointment. You will be seen by the most appropriate clinician, such as a consultant or a GP ENT. If the specialist needs to carry out tests then these may be carried out during your appointment and we will contact you with the results and arrange a follow-up appointment if required.
How long will the appointment take?
Each appointment is dependent on your needs so appointment times will vary. Most first appointments tend to take about 20 minutes and follow-up appointments around 10 minutes.
How does the service work?
If your GP thinks you need to see a specialist consultant they will send a referral letter which will then be reviewed by our team. Once we receive your details, our team will contact you to offer you a convenient appointment. This will be followed by a letter to your home address confirming the date, time and location of your appointment. We will also tell you any preparations that you need to make prior to your appointment.
How soon will I be seen?
While we can’t be specific in this guide, the average waiting time for an assessment is 4 weeks.
How will I get feedback about my appointment?
Keeping you involved in your care is important to us. We’ll keep you updated on your progress either face-to-face or in writing. A full report will be sent to your GP once treatment is complete or before if it is felt necessary.
How will I get the results of any tests performed?
If we need to take tests, these may be carried out during your appointment. Some tests which require more time, such as biopsies or blood tests, may require another appointment. Once the results of tests are received, we will contact you to arrange a follow-up appointment if required.
