Comprehensive Care for ENT and Hearing Conditions
Overview
Our ENT and Audiology Service offers assessments and treatments for various ear, nose, and throat conditions, as well as hearing and balance issues.
Eligibility Criteria
This service is available to anyone aged five and above who is registered with a GP in the NHS Mid Essex area.
Exclusions
We are unable to treat patients who:
• Are referred for possible ENT cancer.
• Require surgery.
• Are disabled and need a hoist.
Service Details
- Dizziness
- Ear infections or wax blockages
- Globus sensation
- Glue ear
- Hearing disorders
- Hoarseness
- Nasal obstruction
- Nosebleeds (epistaxis)
- Rhinitis
- Sinusitis
- Snoring
- Tinnitus
- Audiometry
- Tympanometry with stapedial reflexes
- Ear impression taking
- Ear swabs
- Nasal cautery
- Nasendoscopy
- Wax removal and microsuction
- Barium swallow
- Blood or allergy testing
- X-ray, ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans
- ENT consultant
- Hearing aid department
- Physiotherapy
- Speech therapy
Service Delivery
Clinics are held on various days at Crouch Valley Medical Centre, Chelmsford, CM3 5QP and Kestrel House, Chelsmford, CM2 5PF. Appointments, which can be with a doctor, audiologist, or both, are to be booked in advance. Appointments are offered within 18 weeks for doctor consultations and within six weeks for audiologist-only appointments. Our administrative office is located at Provide Community’s Headquarters in Colchester.
Referral Process
Referrals must come from a healthcare professional, such as a GP, practice nurse, acute consultant, or paediatrician. The referral-to-treatment time is 18 weeks, or six weeks for diagnostic hearing assessments only.
What to expect from your Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) appointment
Your ENT appointment will include a discussion of your symptoms and related medical history; it may also involve the following:
- a physical examination of your ears, nose, and throat using specialised tools
- additional tests like hearing or balance assessments
- procedures such as ear wax removal or nasal cautery
- Write down a list of any current medications you are taking
- Consultation: the Ear, Nose and Throat specialist will discuss your current symptoms, medical history, and any other relevant health information.
- Examination: this may involve using tools like an otoscope or nasendoscope to look into your ears, nose, and throat.
- Specialised tests: depending on your condition, you may undergo further tests, such as:
- Hearing tests: conducted by an audiologist in a sound booth to check your ability to hear different frequencies and how your middle ear is functioning.
- Balance tests: to assess the balance mechanism in your inner ear.
- Nasendoscopy: a procedure where a thin tube with a camera is used to get a better view of hard-to-reach areas in the back of your nose and throat.
- Explanation of Findings: The specialist will explain their findings and discuss any potential further steps.
- Treatment options: the Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist may recommend treatment, which could include prescribing medication or suggesting surgery. It may also include being referred to have an NHS Hearing Aid.
- Further testing: you might be referred for additional tests or procedures, such as a CT/MRI scan, ultrasound scan or blood tests.
- Follow-up: you may need to return to the clinic for results or ongoing treatment, or we may write to you with the results. If a follow up appointment is not required, you will be discharged from the service, back to the care of your GP.
Please note:
- In order for us to improve waiting times and ensure no wastage of resources, if you need to cancel your appointment then please contact the Care Co-Ordination Centre as soon as possible to discuss further availability and/or options. If you do not attend an appointment without prior warning it will be assumed that you no longer require to be seen and your care will be referred back to your GP/original referrer.
- If you have a medical need for patient transport, please telephone Thames Ambulance Service Ltd (TASL) on 0808 169 9614 to arrange it directly with them.
For further assistance please contact us:
Telephone: 0300 131 0111
Email us: provide.askus@nhs.net
Self-Pay Option
Our subsidiary company, Provide Wellbeing, offers self-pay health and wellbeing services. For more information on Microsuction, click here. For Custom Ear Moulds, click here.
Contact Us
This service can be accessed through our Care Co-ordination Centre
Available Monday to Friday
8am to 6pm
Call Us
0300 1310 111
If you are registered with SystmOnline you will be able to view your own Electronic Medical Record (EMR), manage your appointments, request repeat medication, update contact details and message your healthcare service. There is also a SystmOnline app available for Apple and Android devices.
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