Head and Neck Diagnostic Clinic
Welbeck’s Head and Neck Diagnostic Clinic provides rapid assessment and diagnosis for patients experiencing ear, nose, and throat symptoms.
02036532007
What is the Head and Neck Diagnostics Clinic?
Welbeck’s dedicated Head and Neck Diagnostic Clinic provides streamlined assessment, diagnosis, and management of conditions affecting the ear, nose, and throat (ENT).
The clinic offers a multidisciplinary approach to ensure timely and accurate assessments for patients presenting with persistent or concerning head and neck symptoms.
Patients who may benefit from this service include those experiencing:
- new or persistent throat or ear pain
- changes in voice
- difficulty swallowing
- coughing up blood-stained saliva
- a persistent sensation of a lump in the throat
- the development of a neck lump
The main purpose of the clinic is to quickly and efficiently determine if your symptoms reflect a serious condition, such as cancer, so that treatment and/or further tests can be delivered as quickly as possible. If the testing is negative you can return home reassured that you are in good health.
The clinic is also especially valuable for patients with established risk factors, such as a prolonged history of smoking or alcohol use, in whom early specialist evaluation can be crucial. However, we also encourage patients without risk factors to attend an appointment if they have symptoms.
At our clinic, consultations are led by an experienced, sub-specialised ENT head and neck consultant, ensuring every patient receives expert and highly personalised care.
What does an appointment at Welbeck’s Head and Neck Diagnostics Clinic involve?
Your appointment will begin with a detailed discussion of your symptoms and medical history, focusing on the key aspects that may be relevant to your condition. This thorough approach allows your consultant to build a clear picture before moving on to examination.
A nasoendoscopy will then be performed. This is a quick and well-tolerated procedure that involves passing a very fine, flexible camera through your nose. It provides a clear view of the back of your nose, throat, and voice box, allowing your consultant to examine the entire upper aerodigestive tract with precision.
Your consultation and endoscopy will take 30 minutes, which provides ample time for the consultant to address all your concerns and to inspect the throat in detail.
Following this, if necessary, a dedicated MRI scan will be arranged. This advanced imaging study runs from the base of the skull down to the collarbone, enabling the team not only to characterise any findings from the examination but also to detect subtle conditions that may not be immediately apparent during the clinic visit. This usually takes between 40 and 60 minutes to complete.
Our aim is to provide a comprehensive, one-stop assessment with clarity, reassurance, and the highest standard of specialist care. This integrated approach ensures that any serious conditions are promptly identified, while also providing reassurance when symptoms are not linked to significant disease.
What are the risks associated with the assessment?
The nasoendoscopy is very safe, and serious complications are extremely rare. You may have some slight discomfort in the nose, a sensation of something in your throat, your eyes may water, or you may be triggered to cough. On some occasions, you may experience a nosebleed after an endoscopy.
MRI scans are also a very safe type of imaging scan. Welbeck is one of the few facilities in the country that can offer you an MRI scan even if you have a pacemaker or an implantable defibrillator. However, given the magnetic field used, MRI scans may not be suitable if you:
- have metal implants, devices, or prostheses fitted
- have kidney problems
- are pregnant
- are breastfeeding
How to prepare for your appointment
Preparing for a nasoendoscopy typically requires no special measures, as the procedure is minimally invasive and is performed in the office.
It’s important to inform your specialist of any medications you’re taking, especially blood thinners, and to follow any specific instructions they provide.
Recovery and aftercare
You can leave the clinic and return to your normal routine on the same day. A follow-up consultation will be arranged once your MRI scan has been completed, so the results can be discussed between you and your specialist in detail.
How much does this service cost?
The package price of the Head and Neck Diagnostic Clinic is £2,025, with the following breakdown:
Consultation fee - £300
Consultant endoscopy - £200
Endoscope processing fee - £210
MRI - £1,315
Why choose Welbeck?
At Welbeck, our specialists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.
With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.
All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.
Booking a private appointment
To book an appointment, you can either self-refer or you can be referred by your GP, specialist or other health care practitioner following a consultation with them.
If you would like to schedule a consultation with one of our specialists, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.
Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.
FAQs
Will the doctor be able to detect a cancer in my throat using endoscopy and MRI?
Flexible endoscopy and MRI are powerful tools that allow your specialist to examine the throat, voice box, and surrounding structures in detail. Most cancers can be detected with these methods, especially when used together. However, very small or early lesions may occasionally be harder to see. Your specialist will combine the findings from the endoscopy, imaging, and clinical examination to make the most accurate assessment.
Is it possible that the specialist could miss a cancer?
While endoscopy and MRI are highly effective, no test is 100% perfect. In rare cases, very small or hidden cancers may not be visible on initial examination. That’s why your doctor may recommend follow-up, repeat examination, or additional tests if symptoms persist or change, even if the first assessment appears normal.
If no serious condition is found, will methods to improve my symptoms be discussed with me?
Yes. If the clinic does not find a serious condition, your specialist will still discuss options to help relieve your symptoms. This may include lifestyle measures, medications, voice therapy, dietary advice, or referral to other specialists to address issues like reflux, irritation, or inflammation.
Who performs the head and neck diagnostic clinic at Welbeck?
The head and neck one-stop diagnostic clinic is run by Mr Cameron Davies-Husband, who is a dual-fellowship trained, highly sub-specialised ENT/head and neck consultant, and lead for sinus/skull base malignancies at Imperial College Hospitals.
What is the Head and Neck Diagnostics Clinic?
What does an appointment at Welbeck’s Head and Neck Diagnostics Clinic involve?
What are the risks associated with the assessment?
How to prepare for your appointment
Recovery and aftercare
How much does this service cost?
Why choose Welbeck?
Booking a private appointment
FAQs