Otolaryngology Services (Ear, Nose and Throat)
The Department of Otolaryngology provides comprehensive care for a wide variety of congenital and acquired conditions of the ear, nose and throat. These conditions range from airway narrowing and neck masses to chronic ear infections and hearing loss. Although all our ENT specialists care for the common ENT disorders of children, many of the team have individual expertise to address more complicated paediatric ENT problems often in a multidisciplinary team environment.
Services provided
- Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
- Placement of ear ventilation tubes (grommets)
- Complex airway evaluation for airway narrowing and sleep apnoea
- Laryngotracheal reconstructions
- Paediatric sinus surgery
- Cochlear implants
- Removal of tumours of the ear, nose or throat
Medical issues that do not require otolaryngology (ENT) services
Not all referrals require specialist input from the John Hunter Hospital Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose and Throat) Service and some conditions can first be managed by your General Practitioner. Due to the high demand for services, we have a set threshold for referring some conditions. We ask that your doctor considers the referral guidelines for management of your condition prior to referring to the ENT service. We also do not routinely see patients referred for hearing aid prescription.
Parent information
For information on children's ear and hearing issues, sleep problems and common procedures visit our Parent Information Sheets page.
How do I arrange an appointment?
Referrals are accepted from any Doctor. Appointments based on the urgency of the referred condition and in turn. You may be placed on a waiting list for an outpatient ENT appointment. For all referrals we ask that there is a clear statement of why you are being referred to the ENT service. We also ask for a description of your symptoms, their duration as well as a physical examination. You may be asked to have some tests, such as a hearing (audiology) test before being offered an appointment.
Many people are waiting for an appointment in our clinic. If you are offered an appointment and cannot make it, please notify the clinics as soon as possible, so that others may be offered the vacant appointment. If you do not notify us that you are unable to attend your appointment you will be removed from the appointment waiting list and you and your referrer will be notified. If you cancel an appointment at late notice, it may be some time before another appointment can be offered due to service demand.
Contact
Use SeNT eReferral to send referrals to HNELHD. If your GP management system does not support SeNT, you may FAX referral to (02) 4922 3900.
For information on current referrals contact the Outpatient Contact Centre on (02)4922 3912.