Ear, nose and throat (ENT) medicine, also called otolaryngology, looks after the ears, the nose and sinuses, the throat and voice, and the head and neck. These areas are closely connected: a blocked nose can affect your ears and your sleep, and a persistent sore throat or a change in your voice may have its source elsewhere. At our private clinic in the heart of London (South Kensington, Knightsbridge), you see a consultant ENT surgeon who takes the time to find the cause before recommending a treatment.
Consultations take place in French or English, whether you have a recent ear infection, a symptom that keeps coming back or a lump that needs to be checked quickly.
Ears, nose and throat: one specialist, in your language
Patients consult our ENT surgeon for a wide range of reasons, from everyday problems to symptoms that need a prompt specialist opinion.
- Ears: earache, ear wax build-up, hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness
- Nose and sinuses: blocked nose, chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, nosebleeds, loss of smell
- Throat and voice: recurrent sore throat, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, snoring
- Head and neck: a lump in the neck, a swollen salivary gland, a thyroid nodule, a mouth ulcer that does not heal
Whatever brings you to us, you will be examined in a calm setting, receive a clear explanation of what is happening and leave with a plan: treatment, follow-up or further tests where needed.
Booking info: A prepayment of £70 will be asked at the moment you book the appointment, the remaining will need to be settled on the day of your consultation.
Cancellation Policy: More than 72h before the consultation: fully refunded. Between 72h and 48h: the £70 prepayment will be kept. Less than 48h: consultation fully charged.
Ear problems: hearing, pain, wax and dizziness
Ear symptoms are among the most common reasons to see an ENT specialist. Some settle quickly with the right treatment; others, such as hearing loss in one ear or tinnitus that does not go away, deserve a specialist examination.
Our ENT surgeon can help with:
- Earache and ear infections, including infections of the ear canal (otitis externa)
- Ear wax build-up, removed by microsuction at the clinic
- Hearing loss, gradual or sudden
- Tinnitus: ringing, buzzing or whistling in the ears
- Dizziness and vertigo, including positional vertigo (BPPV) and Ménière’s disease
- Perforated eardrum and recurrent ear discharge
- Lumps, swellings or skin lesions of the outer ear
Sudden hearing loss in one ear is a medical emergency: contact us the same day or, outside our opening hours, call NHS 111.
Your consultant: Miss Safina Ali
ENT consultations at Kensington International Clinic are led by Miss Safina Ali, Consultant ENT / Head & Neck Surgeon (GMC 4608756), who sees patients in French and English.
She trained in ENT in Edinburgh and Aberdeen, completed a research fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, then two Royal College of Surgeons of England fellowships in advanced head and neck cancer surgery, at Guy’s and St Thomas’ and at Charing Cross. She is one of the ENT consultant surgeons at Barts Health, based at The Royal London Hospital, and holds an honorary contract at University College London Hospital.
Miss Ali sees patients at the clinic from 2 November 2026.
Nose and sinus problems in London
A nose that is permanently blocked, sinuses that keep flaring up or a sense of smell that has faded can affect your sleep, your concentration and your quality of life. A precise examination of the inside of the nose, sometimes completed by a flexible nasal endoscopy (a thin camera passed gently into the nose), helps identify the cause.
Conditions we assess and treat
- Blocked nose and long-standing nasal congestion
- Acute and chronic sinusitis
- Nasal polyps
- Deviated nasal septum
- Allergic and non-allergic rhinitis, runny nose
- Recurrent nosebleeds
- Loss of smell or taste
Most nasal problems improve with medical treatment, such as nasal sprays, saline rinses or the management of an allergy. When surgery could help, for example a septoplasty or endoscopic sinus surgery, Miss Ali explains the options, the expected benefits and the risks, and plans the next steps with you.
Throat, voice and swallowing
A sore throat that keeps coming back, a voice that has changed or a feeling of something stuck in the throat are frequent reasons to see an ENT surgeon. Most causes are benign, but symptoms that persist deserve a specialist examination.
Our ENT surgeon can help with:
- Recurrent tonsillitis and persistent sore throat
- Hoarseness or a change in your voice
- Laryngitis and throat irritation linked to acid reflux
- Difficulty swallowing or the feeling of a lump in the throat
- Snoring and sleep apnoea
- Salivary gland problems: pain or swelling under the jaw or in front of the ear
When to be seen promptly: hoarseness lasting more than three weeks, pain or difficulty swallowing that does not settle, or blood in your saliva should always be checked by a specialist.
Head and neck: lumps and swellings checked without delay
Miss Ali has a specialist interest in head and neck surgery and oncology. A lump in the neck is most often a lymph node reacting to an infection, but any lump that lasts more than three weeks should be examined by a specialist.
Reasons to consult
- A lump in the neck that persists or grows
- A thyroid nodule or a swelling at the front of the neck
- A swollen salivary gland
- A mouth or tongue ulcer that has not healed after three weeks
- Persistent hoarseness or difficulty swallowing
During the consultation, Miss Ali examines the head and neck and, where needed, arranges further tests such as an ultrasound scan or other imaging, so that you get a clear answer as quickly as possible. If treatment is needed, she explains every option and guides you through the next steps.
Ear wax removal by microsuction
Ear wax is normal and usually clears on its own. When it builds up, it can cause a blocked ear, muffled hearing, discomfort or tinnitus. At the clinic, ear wax is removed by microsuction, the technique favoured by ENT specialists.
How it works:
- The ear canal is examined under magnification
- A fine suction tube gently removes the wax under direct vision
- No water is used, which also suits patients with a perforated eardrum or a history of ear surgery
- It usually takes a few minutes and is not painful; you may hear a suction noise or feel briefly dizzy
Before your appointment: olive oil drops used for a few days can soften the wax and make removal easier, unless you have a perforated eardrum or have been advised otherwise.
Your ENT consultation: step by step
1. Booking
Book online or call our reception team on 020 7589 9321. A prepayment of £70 is taken when you book; the balance is settled on the day of your appointment.
2. Your symptoms and history
Miss Ali asks about your symptoms, how long they have lasted, your medical history and the treatments you have already tried. Bring any previous test results, scans or hearing tests, and the list of your current medicines.
3. Examination
She examines your ears, nose, throat and neck. Depending on your symptoms, she may suggest an ear wax removal by microsuction or a flexible nasal endoscopy to see the inside of the nose and throat in detail. These procedures are charged separately.
4. Your treatment plan
You leave with a clear explanation and a plan: treatment, follow-up appointment, further tests or, when it could help, a discussion of surgical options. With your agreement, a letter can be sent to your GP.
Flexible nasal endoscopy: a detailed view in a few minutes
Flexible nasal endoscopy (also called nasendoscopy) lets the ENT surgeon see areas that cannot be examined with a simple light: the back of the nose, the throat and the voice box.
- A thin, flexible camera is passed gently through one nostril
- A local anaesthetic spray can be used beforehand to make the examination more comfortable
- It takes a few minutes, and Miss Ali explains what she sees straight away
- You can go home straight afterwards; if a numbing spray was used, wait until the numbness has worn off (usually within an hour) before eating or drinking
It is particularly useful for a blocked nose, chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, hoarseness, a feeling of a lump in the throat or difficulty swallowing.
ENT consultation fees in London
Kensington International Clinic publishes its fees transparently. The fees below apply to consultations and procedures with Miss Safina Ali.
Treatment | Fee |
|---|---|
Initial consultation | £290 |
Follow-up consultation | £250 |
Ear wax removal by microsuction | £175 |
Flexible nasal endoscopy | £550 |
Good to know:
- A prepayment of £70 is taken when you book; the balance is paid on the day of your appointment
- Further tests (imaging, blood tests, biopsy) and any surgery are quoted separately, after the consultation
- If you have private health insurance, check your cover with your insurer before your appointment
Cancellation policy:
- More than 72 hours before the appointment: full refund
- Between 72 and 48 hours before: the £70 prepayment is kept
- Less than 48 hours before: the consultation is charged in full
Book an ENT consultation
Kensington International Clinic is located at 2 North Terrace, London SW3 2BA, a 6-minute walk from South Kensington station and 8 minutes from Knightsbridge. ENT consultations are available in French and English, for patients living in London and those visiting from abroad.
To book an appointment with Miss Safina Ali:
- Phone: 020 7589 9321
- Email: contact@kic.london
- Online: with the “Book an appointment” button below
Questions & Answers
Do I need a GP referral to see an ENT specialist?
No, you can book an ENT consultation directly.
If you have private health insurance, your insurer may ask for a GP referral before covering the consultation: check with them before booking.
Is ear wax removal by microsuction painful?
No, microsuction is not painful.
You will hear a suction noise, and some patients feel briefly dizzy or notice a slight sensitivity of the ear canal, which passes quickly.
What is a flexible nasal endoscopy?
A short examination with a thin, flexible camera passed gently through the nose.
It allows the surgeon to see the back of the nose, the throat and the voice box. A local anaesthetic spray can be used to make it more comfortable, and it only takes a few minutes.
When should a lump in the neck be checked?
When it lasts more than three weeks, grows or comes with other symptoms.
Hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, a mouth ulcer that does not heal or unexplained weight loss are reasons to be seen promptly. Most neck lumps are benign, and an early examination gives you a clear answer quickly.
Can I have my ENT consultation in French?
Yes.
Miss Safina Ali sees patients in French and English, so you can describe your symptoms and ask your questions in the language you are most comfortable with.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Bring any previous test results, scans or hearing tests, the list of medicines you take and, if relevant, your health insurance details.
