Ear Nose Throat Ent And Audiology Service

Eligibility criteria

Anyone (aged five+) registered with a GP in the NHS Mid Essex area.

Exclusions

We are not able to treat patients who are:

• referred for possible ENT cancer.
• are in known need of surgery.
• disabled and require a hoist.

Service details

We provide an out-patient clinical assessment and treatment service for these conditions:

• Dizziness
• Ear infections or blocked with wax
• Globus
• Glue ear
• Hearing disorders
• Hoarseness
• Nasal obstruction
• Nose bleeds (epistaxis)
• Rhinitis
• Sinusitis
• Snoring
• Tinnitus

We offer the following procedures:

• Audiometry
• Tympanometry with stapedial reflexes
• Ear impression taking
• Ear swabs
• Nasal cautery
• Nasendoscopy
• Wax removal and micro suction of ears

We offer referral for the following investigations:

• Barium swallow
• Blood or allergy testing
• X-ray, ultrasound, CT or MRI scan 

Onward referrals maybe necessary to the following clinicians:

• ENT consultant
• Hearing aid department
• Physiotherapy
• Speech therapy

Service delivery

We hold clinics on various days throughout the week at Spinks Lane Therapy Centre in Witham. 

All appointments are booked and you will see the doctor or audiologist, or both.

Appointments will be offered within 18 weeks if you are to see the doctor or doctor and audiologist. If you are to see the audiologist only an appointment will be offered within six weeks.

Our admin office is based at Provide's Headquarters in Colchester.

Referral process

You must be referred by a healthcare professional, such as a GP, practice nurse, acute consultant or paediatrician.

Referral-to-treatment time is 18 weeks, or six weeks if you’re referred for a diagnostic hearing assessment only.

Customer Survey results for this service

Date of Survey: 22 March – 5 May 2016

How many people responded: 57

Here’s what service user’s told us:

• 96.25% said that they would recommend the ENT service to their friends and family if they needed similar care or treatment.
• 98.22% said that they were given enough privacy when discussing their condition or treatment.
• 98.21% said that they understood what the clinician said to them.
• 98.08% said that if they had important questions to ask they were given answers they could understand.
• 98.12% said that they were treated sensitively with kindness and consideration.
• 98.11% said that they felt they were treated with respect and dignity while they were attending the clinic.