The Rhinology (Nose) Unit at East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust provides comprehensive care for all disorders related to the nose and sinuses. This includes conditions such as nasal allergy, infections, inflammatory and mucosal diseases, breathing difficulties, and tumours.
Referral information for healthcare professionals
We welcome referrals from GPs and other healthcare professionals. Our team is committed to delivering timely, expert care for a broad spectrum of nasal and sinus conditions.
Multidisciplinary team (MDT) clinics
Our rhinology service specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of rhinological and facial plastic conditions – ranging from the routine to the highly complex. We work closely with specialists in allergy, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, rheumatology, and ophthalmology through various MDT clinics to deliver holistic, integrated care. Our clinics include:
- Combined allergy, medical and surgical rhinology clinic: Focused on complex nasal and sinus disorders, including rhinitis, vasculitis, chronic sinusitis, and upper airway disease.
- Facial function MDT: A unique service offering multidisciplinary management of facial nerve palsy, including physiotherapy, Botulinum toxin treatment, and facial reanimation surgery.
- Olfaction (smell) clinic: Specialised clinic for diagnosing and managing disorders of smell, including anosmia.
- Autoimmune diseases and vasculitis MDT: A collaborative approach to managing complex autoimmune diseases with nasal involvement, including septal perforation.
- Dermatology MDT: A joint service with dermatology specialists providing expertise in nasal and facial skin reconstruction following Mohs micrographic surgery for skin cancers.
Our service is equipped with advanced clinical photography and radiological imaging capabilities to support diagnosis and treatment planning. We assess treatment outcomes using patient-reported outcome measures and objective tools such as Nasal Inspiratory Peak Flow (NIPF) and acoustic rhinometry.
We are also a national referral centre for patients with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), a condition causing severe nosebleeds. Our specialist treatments include laser surgery, nasal septum skin grafting, and nasal closure procedures.
Information for patients
Nose and sinus disorders can significantly impact quality of life. For instance, chronic rhinosinusitis affects approximately 10% of the UK population and is frequently underdiagnosed. Our team is experienced in managing a wide range of conditions, including:
- Deviated nasal septum
- Hypertrophic turbinates
- Nasal polyps and chronic rhinosinusitis
- Odontogenic (dental-related) sinus disease
- Severe nosebleeds, including those caused by HHT
- Anosmia (loss of sense of smell)
- Nasal allergy
- Nasal trauma
- Septal perforation
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak
- Postnasal drip
- Post-traumatic cosmetic nasal deformity
- Septorhinoplasty
- Sinonasal cancers
We are dedicated to continuous improvement in patient care and use the latest technologies and validated questionnaires to evaluate our treatments.
Outpatient care
All outpatient consultations are conducted at Lister Hospital, Stevenage. During their visit, patients may undergo a variety of tests and investigations, including:
- Nasal endoscopy (camera examination of the nose)
- Clinical photography
- Smell testing
- CT or MRI scans of the nose and sinuses (scans are performed on a separate day)
ENT clinical nurse specialists (CNS)
Our ENT clinical nurse specialists are integral to the care pathway. They provide expert support from the initial consultation through to post-operative care. Their responsibilities include:
- Assisting in the outpatient clinic
- Providing post-operative support, including removal of nasal splints and dressings
- Offering guidance and education to patients throughout their treatment journey
All surgeries under general anaesthesia are carried out at Lister Hospital.
Useful links
- ENT UK – Patient Information: https://www.entuk.org
- Information on Loss of Smell: https://www.fifthsense.org.uk
- HHT Self-Help Group and Support Network: https://www.hht.org.uk
Consultants with special interest in rhinology
- Miss Joanna Stephens
- Mr Adam C Frosh
- Ms Marie Lyons
For referrals and enquiries, please refer to the contact details listed above
