Harrow Health works in partnership with GPs across Northwest London to provide a community-based ear, nose and throat (ENT) service. The ENT service provides specialist advice and treatment for a range of non-urgent ENT conditions. Our specialist ENT consultants and their multi-disciplinary team aim to diagnose the condition, arrange any investigations necessary and provide treatment in one-stop clinics where appropriate and possible.
Harrow Health works in partnership with GPs across Northwest London to provide a community-based ear, nose and throat (ENT) service. The ENT service provides specialist advice and treatment for a range of non-urgent ENT conditions. Our specialist ENT consultants and their multi-disciplinary team aim to diagnose the condition, arrange any investigations necessary and provide treatment in one-stop clinics where appropriate and possible.
Hearing loss is a condition where a person experiences partial or total inability to hear in one or both ears. It can affect people of all ages and can range from mild to profound. Some people are born with hearing loss (congenital), while others develop it later in life (acquired).
Types of Hearing Loss:
Conductive Hearing Loss:
Sensorineural Hearing Loss:
Mixed Hearing Loss:
Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no external sound is present. People often describe it as ringing in the ears, but it can also sound like:
A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the tonsils, which are two oval-shaped pads of tissue at the back of the throat—one on each side. Tonsils are part of the immune system and help fight infections, but sometimes they themselves become repeatedly infected or swollen, causing more harm than good.
Some of the common reasons for tonsillectomy are:
Nasal congestion (or nasal blockage) is when the flow of air through your nose is partially or completely blocked, making it hard to breathe through the nose. It can affect one or both nostrils and might be short-term (like with a cold) or long-term (due to structural issues or allergies.
Common Causes of Nasal Blockage:
Voice hoarseness (also called dysphonia) is when your voice sounds breathy, raspy, weak, strained, or changes in pitch or volume. It’s a symptom, not a disease, and usually relates to issues with the vocal cords (in your larynx or “voice box”).
Common Causes of Voice Hoarseness:
Chronic cough is a persistent cough that lasts 8 weeks or longer in adults (or 4 weeks in children). It’s not a disease itself but a symptom of an underlying condition. It can be dry (no mucus) or productive (with mucus), and it may seriously affect sleep, work, and quality of life.
Common Causes of Chronic Cough:
Sinusitis is the inflammation or swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses, which are air-filled spaces in your forehead, cheeks, and around the eyes. When sinuses become blocked or filled with fluid, germs (bacteria, viruses, or fungi) can grow and cause infection.
Types of Sinusitis:
Common Symptoms:
Rhinitis is the inflammation of the lining inside the nose, causing sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, and itching. It can be triggered by allergens, infections, irritants, or other causes.
Types of Rhinitis:
1. Allergic Rhinitis (most common)
2. Non-Allergic Rhinitis
3. Infectious Rhinitis
Common Symptoms:
Dizziness can affect many patients, and not all dizziness is caused by issues with the ear. For those where the issue is caused by the ear, the condition is known as Vertigo. Not all dizziness is caused by issues with the ear. However, if there is a sensation of movement or spinning it is known as vertigo and probably comes from the inner ear.
Common causes:
Difficulty in swallowing is also known as Dysphagia. It is usually associated with either difficulties caused by problems with the mouth or throat (oropharyngeal dysphagia) or problems with the gullet (oesophageal dysphagia). It can affect your ability to swallow solid foods, liquids, or even saliva, and may feel like food is stuck in your throat or chest. Dysphagia can range from mild discomfort to severe problems that make eating and drinking difficult or dangerous.
Common Symptoms:
You can access our ENT service through a referral from your GP.
Yes. For many NHS services, you have the right to choose where you are treated. You can discuss this with your GP when being referred.
If your GP has already referred you, you may contact the appointments team regarding booking or appointment queries by calling 020 866 4100 or emailing harhl.appointments@nhs.net. However, the ENT service cannot arrange appointments without a referral from your GP or healthcare professional.
Yes. If you need to rearrange your appointment, please contact the appointments team as soon as possible. We require at least 24 hours’ notice for appointment changes or cancellations wherever possible. Failure to attend appointments, or repeated late cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice, may result in you being discharged back to your GP.
No. This service is for adult patients aged 18 years and over only. Patients under the age of 18 should be referred to an appropriate paediatric ENT service via their GP or healthcare professional.
Please bring:
Yes, patients are usually welcome to bring a family member, friend, or carer to their appointment if they wish.
Common reasons for referral include:
Your GP will determine whether an ENT referral is needed.
Our patient information leaflet explains what happens during a microsuction appointment, how to prepare, what the procedure involves, and what to expect afterwards.
Yes — if clinically appropriate, the clinician may issue a prescription or recommend suitable over-the-counter treatment options. In some cases, your NHS GP may need to provide the prescription directly. If this is required, we will contact your GP on your behalf and provide them with the necessary information.
Yes. In many cases, your GP will continue your care following our assessment, with guidance from our clinicians.
If your symptoms worsen or you are concerned, please contact your GP. For urgent concerns, seek immediate medical advice.
Follow the advice and treatment plan provided. If you have any concerns or your condition does not improve, contact your GP or our service.
I am a substantive Consultant Rhinologist, Facial Plastic and ENT Surgeon. I am the clinical lead for community ENT for The Royal National ENT (UCLH) and enjoy supporting colleagues in primary care.
Dr. Abbas is a GP with a special interest in ENT. He has completed a two year ENT clinical fellowship at Northwick Park Hospital and holds a Diploma in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery. He has extensive experience in managing a variety of ENT conditions both in a Primary care and hospital setting. Dr. Abbas is fluent in English and Arabic.
I am a GP with a background in ENT and am keen to share my expertise in a primary and community setting. I worked as an ENT research and clinical fellow at MRI hospital and Fairfield hospital in Manchester prior to my GP training where I gained valuable knowledge and experience. I speak fluent English and Tamil.
Dr. Ganesh Ramalingam is a compassionate ENT clinician with over 20 years of combined hospital and community experience. Trained in India and practising in the NHS since 2004, he has held registrar-level roles and completed UK GP training in 2013. Now a GP with Extended Role (GPwER) in ENT. Dr. Ramalingam expertly manages a wide range of ENT conditions using advanced diagnostic tools.
Committed to clinical excellence, he regularly undertakes professional development and appraisal to ensure safe, evidence-based care integrated within holistic general practice.
Dr Ahmad is a General Practitioner with a Special Interest in Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) conditions, working across both Community and Hospital ENT clinics. With over 15 years of experience in the NHS, Dr Ahmad offers expert, patient-focused care for a wide range of ENT issues.
I am an ENT clinician with over 18 years of combined experience. Trained in India, I have been practicing within the NHS since 2018. I am currently a Post-CCT Fellow at the Royal National ENT (UCLH). I provide patient-centred, evidence-based ENT care and speak English, Hindi, and Tamil.
I have extensive NHS ENT experience and currently work part-time as a Specialty Doctor in ENT at UCLH. I am now focused on delivering high-quality, patient-centred ENT care in the community, supported by a strong secondary care background.
Assessment and treatment of hearing loss, balance issues, and other auditory conditions for patients of all ages.
Safe and effective earwax removal using gentle microsuction techniques to relieve blockage, discomfort, or hearing difficulty.
