Your appointment with the ear, nose and throat (ENT) service

How do I get an appointment?

You'll be referred to our service by your GP, hospital doctor, or other health professional.

Changing or cancelling your appointment

If you need to change or cancel your child’s appointment for any reason, please call 020 7188 4000.

Please tell us as soon as possible so we can offer the appointment to another patient.

Before your appointment

Please bring to your child's appointment:

• your child’s red book (personal child health record)
• any written information about their condition, such as recent test results
• a list of any medicines your child is taking

During your appointment 

At the appointment, you and your child will see a specialist ENT doctor or surgeon.

We'll ask for information about your child and their medical history. This part of the appointment will last about 10 to 15 minutes.

In the clinic, we will make a thorough assessment of your child. This may include investigations, such as hearing tests.

You and your child may also see one of our nurses, nurse specialists or another health professional, such as an audiologist or speech therapist. This may add some extra time to your visit.

We make every effort to avoid delays during clinics, however appointments may run late. We offer a specialised service and some of the children we see have complex conditions so their appointments may take longer than usual.

As we're a teaching hospital, students and visitors may be observing the team. We'll always ask your permission for them to observe your appointment.

After your appointment

At the end of the appointment, the doctor will explain your child's condition and whether any further investigations such as blood tests or scans are needed.

We'll discuss treatment options with you, including surgery and will give you further information about treatment options.

We'll write to the health professional who referred your child to explain what happened at the appointment and what will happen next. We'll send a copy of this letter to you, your GP and any other clinicians or healthcare professionals involved in your child’s care.

The letter will have a contact number for the ear, nose and throat team you can use if you have any questions.

Earwax removal

The video shows what will happen during an earwax removal appointment. The video shows an ENT clinical nurse specialist removing wax with a specially designed wax removal scoop and microscope and suction. It also provides advice about how to take care of your ears.