Ear, Nose and Throat

The Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Department (also known as Otolaryngology) provides an inpatient and outpatient service for patients from infancy through to adolescence with disorders of the ears, nose and throat specializing in the evaluation and treatment of conditions including:

• Ear conditions such as hearing loss, recurrent and chronic infections, ear injuries, congenital abnormalities (present at birth), and mastoid disease
• Nasal conditions such as acute and chronic sinusitis, nasal obstruction, and congenital nasal abnormalities
• Throat conditions include throat infections (tonsillitis), enlargement of the tonsils and adenoids
• Airway difficulties such as snoring, obstructive sleep disorders, breathing problems in newborns and young children, or more serious airway problems such as children with tracheostomies
• Treatment of disorders of the ear, nose, throat and neck secondary to congenital and genetic disorders.

Except in an emergency, you should visit your General Practitioner (GP) as a first course of action if you have any concerns about your child's health.

Referral requirements

For outpatient referrals to the ENT Outpatient Department, your General Practitioner (GP) or medical specialist will need to send a current referral letter. Please let your doctor know if you need an interpreter for your appointment. When your child's referral arrives at the hospital, the ENT team will triage it against criteria according to the urgency of the problem.

For emergency assistance, you should bring your child to the nearest Emergency Department for assessment. The doctors there will consult with the ENT team for advice or arrange for your child to be assessed at the WCH.

Making an appointment

If you need to enquire on your child's referral the hospital provides a central enquiries phone line for all incoming referrals into Women's and Children's Hospital Outpatient Departments.

Enquiries for all appointment booking line: (08) 8161 7399

Hours

General Business: 8.30am – 4.30pm, Monday to Friday

Location

2nd Floor, Queen Victoria Building

We understand that coming to hospital may be stressful and you and your child may be anxious. If your child needs surgery, the following information will help you prepare for the hospital stay. If you have any questions about your child's surgical admission please call the Elective Pre-Admission Coordinator on (08) 8161 7714: Monday – Friday, 8.00am–4.00 pm.

Fact sheets for families

Phone

(08) 8161 6415 or (08) 8161 6575

Email

Health.WCHNENTSecretary@sa.gov.au or
Health.WCHNENTAdmin@sa.gov.au

Fax

(08) 8161 7057

Mailing Address

Ear, Nose and Throat Department
Women's and Children's Hospital
72 King William Road
North Adelaide
South Australia 5006

Unit Head

Dr Michael Switajewski

ENT Nurse Practitioner

Silvia O'Connor

The ENT Nurse Practitioner works with those children who have complex conditions that require long-term management such as children who have a tracheostomy.

The ENT department also has close links with the Children's Audiology Service.

The unit has a policy of regular clinical review and audit. Individual research projects are undertaken regularly. Please contact the department if you have particular queries.

Referral information

Criteria for referrals into WCH Outpatient departments are available for referring Medical Practitioners. The ENT Referral Guidelines provide suggested treatment prior to referral to the ENT service.

Please note where referrals are incomplete or do not meet the criteria outlined in the ENT Referral Guidelines will be returned to the referring Medical Practitioner requesting further clinical information or investigation, recommending referral elsewhere or ongoing local management.

Facsimile for referrals: (08) 8161 6246

Enquiries and appointment booking line: (08) 8161 7399