Ear, nose & throat (ENT) surgery

It can be a worrying time when something goes wrong with your ears, nose, or throat, as each of these are essential in the workings of basic human functions, such as breathing, eating, and hearing.

That’s why at The Ridgeway Hospital, our ear, nose and throat (ENT) consultants provide rapid assessment of the symptoms causing you concern.

For patients across Swindon, Wiltshire and the South West, you’ll appreciate our approach in finding you an accurate diagnosis fast, providing a personalised treatment plan for your specific condition.

Symptoms of an ENT-related issue can be very varied, and may include:

Ear

• Hearing problems
• Wax impaction
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Dizziness
• Chronic (long-term) ear infections

Nose

• Nasal blockage
• Nose bleeds
• Allergies
• Nasal polyps

Throat

• Voice difficulties such as a change in voice
• Swallowing difficulties
• Recurrent throat infections
• Neck lumps & bumps (e.g. in the parotid gland, which produces saliva)

The speciality also covers thyroid and parathyroid issues, along with certain types of head and neck cancers, which are becoming increasingly common.

Fortunately, many patients are able to find relief from their concerns with a simple outpatients-based procedure. If you are looking to improve your quality of life and find reprieve from your symptoms, why not book a consultation with one of our ENT specialists at The Ridgeway Hospital today?

As there are so many potential conditions related to the ear, nose, and throat, your consultant can often reassure you that surgery may not be necessary.

In fact, the vast majority of conditions can be effectively treated without the need for surgical intervention. Sometimes, medical advice and lifestyle changes are all that is needed to bring you relief, and our experts can steer you in the right direction. Other patients may require medication, which can be picked up in our dedicated on-site pharmacy.

This could be in the form of oral tablets, or steroid sprays, which are useful in reducing inflammation for conditions such as rhinitis (inflammation and swelling in the nose). Simple nasal surgeries can be done as a day case, enabling you to go home on the same day.

This includes an endoscopic sinus procedure, which is performed via keyhole surgery in order to open up the drainage holes in your nose for those who haven’t responded to other treatments. Patients with polyps (small tissue growths) may undergo this procedure as polyp removal can be done at the same time.

Throat operations such as a tonsillectomy (used to remove the tonsils when you’ve suffered recurrent throat infections) can also be performed as a day case, with expert nursing teams on hand to aid you in your recovery.

More extensive surgeries may need to be referred to neighbouring facilities, and your consultant will manage your treatment to maintain efficiency and streamlined care. Lumps in your neck will be analysed for cancer, and therefore may require a biopsy (small tissue sample) to be taken. If a cancer diagnosis is confirmed, you will be referred on to an appropriate Specialist Cancer treatment team.

The priority for any consultation is to gain an accurate diagnosis for you promptly, before outlining a potential treatment plan to bring you relief from your symptoms. Your consultation will begin with a discussion about your symptoms, where your consultant will ask for a detailed medical history. Areas they may wish to cover include:

• What symptoms have you been experiencing?
• How long have you had these symptoms?
• Have these symptoms been getting progressively worse?
• Have you received any treatment for them yet? How effective has this treatment been?
• Are you on any medication?

This will normally be followed by a physical examination, where your consultant will assess the particular symptoms you’ve mentioned. Various handheld instruments will be used to look inside your ears, nose, or throat, helping your consultant see the extent of any visible symptoms.

Occasionally, a flexible nasal endoscopy will be used, and this can be done during the same visit. Using a flexible fibre optic tube with a camera on the end, your consultant can assess the health of your nose and throat by passing the tube into your nostril to see what’s going on.

For those experiencing hearing loss, a hearing test will be necessary, so you may wish to have this done first before you see our specialists. Complex issues may require an assessment from our audiologist at a separate appointment.

If necessary, blood tests can be booked for a later date, and you may require certain diagnostic scans, which can all be done in our on-site Imaging department. Scans could involve:

• X-ray
• Ultrasound
• CT
• MRI

At a follow-up appointment, your consultant will discuss any results with you, confirming a diagnosis and presenting you with a personalised treatment plan based on your condition. Whether you need surgery or your symptoms can be managed with medication, our consultants will find the most appropriate care for your needs.

Choosing to have your ear, nose and throat treatment at The Ridgeway Hospital comes with a host of benefits, such as:

• Assessments ASAP – If your quality of life has been affected by your symptoms, you’ll want to be seen by a consultant without any unnecessary delay. By seeing patients rapidly, our consultants can get you started on the right course of treatment as soon as possible.
• Patient Satisfaction – 96.4% of patients in 2020 said they would happily recommend Ridgeway Hospital to friends and family in an independent report, and we’re confident that you’ll agree. 96.3% also said that the quality of care here at The Ridgeway Hospital was either ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’. We aim to make your stay with us as comfortable as possible, and these results highlight our continued efforts to ensure this is achieved.
• Personalised Care – We believe in a bespoke approach to treatment, tailoring each experience to our patients’ needs and whatever may be best for you. This is regularly reviewed, ensuring you get the necessary treatment at every stage of your patient journey.
• Same Day Surgery – Certain ENT procedures can be performed on a day case basis, providing a ‘one-stop shop’ for various ear, nose and throat-related issues. With patients able to return home on the same day, this efficient service saves you time and cuts down on unnecessary extra journeys.
• Consultant-led, Consultant-delivered – Once you have chosen your consultant, you will see them right the way through your journey at The Ridgeway Hospital. From the initial consultation to follow-ups, explaining any necessary procedures and carrying out surgeries themselves, you are assured the highest level of care and top-quality service from specialists with a wealth of experience in the ENT field.
• A Multidisciplinary Approach – Our teams at The Ridgeway Hospital work in tandem with each other to provide you with the best possible care from start to finish. Working closely with colleagues in a range of specialties, alongside specialist radiographers, anaesthetists, and nurses, your consultants have access to a wide network for complex issues, ensuring you have expert support every step of the way during your treatment.
• Convenient Appointments – With appointments available at dedicated clinics throughout the week, you are sure to find an appointment slot that suits your needs and availability.
• Ease of Access - Situated just along from Swindon bus station, The Ridgeway Hospital is easily accessible by public transport, with ample parking should you visit us by car.