ENT/Grommets - Private consultation > NHS waiting list?

[VittonWillage]

Hiya,

Is it possible to take a private ENT consultation and then be referred to an NHS waitlist for the operation? I'm guessing no but a brief google around suggests that the answer is "sometimes".

Any guidance appreciate!

Hmmm I don’t know. It there a reason you want to see a particular private doctor or are you just trying to jump the queue for a few hundred pounds without having to pay for the procedure itself?

Pointed question but I’ll answer in good faith. It’s more about having the ENT confirm or deny wether grommets (for example) would be helpful given the circumstances of our little one ASAP due to the impact on her speech development. I’m not looking to skip any waiting lists on actual surgical interventions l.

Not sure where you live but if he wait is long, have you been offered hearing aids in the meantime to support hearing and help with language development?

Have you seen audiology? I think they be best placed to assess how much glue ear is impacting her hearing… and possibly offer hearing aids as an interim measure.

We did see an ENT privately about grommets. We were prepared to do the operation privately, but we got bumped to the nhs list as the private hospital didn’t do operations on kids under 3. Didn’t actually end up having the grommets done as it turned out DD had sensorineural hearing loss and glue ear on top, which wasn’t contributing to the loss.

I think you need a really good audiologist. Happy to answer any questions as a parent who has seen many audiologists!

We saw and ent privately as DS was on our private insurance. Didn't get as far as an op but he was seen by consultant and had a hearing test privately.

Thanks all!

@nomorespaghetti - we’ve seen the audiologists locally a number of times (NHS) and our LO has been given hearing aids, to mixed results of application so far. They have sensorineural hearing loss (v mild) but ongoing glue ear which is making the hearing loss moderate> severe for some areas of speech.

Both the audiologist and our local “achieving for” liaison recommended getting an ENT referral from our GP, but warned of long waits (hence the initial post :)