‘Getting into balance’ – A first-year experience of adult balance service provision in a rural network

SY Hey, MR Laing
Department of Otolaryngology, Raigmore Hospital, Inverness

Introduction:  A dedicated, otolaryngologist-led, multidisciplinary clinic model is an advocated ENT-UK and DoH initiative to enhance service delivery for patients with balance disorders, particularly in specialist ENT units.  

Aims:  To evaluate the efficacy and outcome of our specialist balance clinic within a regional teaching hospital in a rural network.  

Methods:  Retrospective, structured review of balance clinics between August 2014 and October 2015 was conducted.  

Results:  115 (82F:32M) new referrals were assessed in the clinic. Overall, definitive diagnoses were achieved in 85.2% (98/115), while all had management plans after the first clinic visit including a vestibular rehabilitation programme.  

84.3% (97/115) were successfully discharged (65/115 after a single visit, 32/115 after subsequent follow up).

The commonest outcomes were vestibular migraine (37.4%;43/115), BPPV (16.5%;19/115), Meniere’s (11.3%;13/115) and central decompensation after vestibular neuritis (6.1%;7/115). 3/115 warranted a stroke referral for vertebrobasilar investigations. 

Conclusions: Our multidisciplinary clinic establishment supports the cost- and clinically effective model for adult balance services.

‘Getting into balance’ – A first year experience of adult balance service provision in a rural network