The University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM) NHS Trust is set to launch its first drop-in digital nasendoscopy clinic in May 2026. The clinic will be located at the new Clinical Diagnostic Centre (CDC) in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, and aims to offer faster access to specialist assessment for patients, particularly those at higher risk for head and neck cancers.
Head and neck cancers can be difficult to detect early because symptoms are often vague. The CDC’s new approach removes the need for a traditional GP referral, allowing people from high-risk areas to seek prompt evaluation.
Patients visiting the clinic will have a short consultation followed by a nasendoscopy procedure. The endoscopic images captured during the exam are securely sent to a consultant head and neck surgeon for review. Results will be made available within 48 hours through the NHS app.
The service incorporates hyperspectral imaging technology, which collects detailed light data from tissues. Although these images do not appear meaningful to humans, machine learning is used to analyze them and provide clinical insights.
The project was developed with endoscope-i Ltd and received £600,000 in funding from SBRI Healthcare. This initiative is intended as a cost-effective and scalable model for digital ENT diagnostics.
Professor Ajith P George, Consultant Head and Neck Surgeon at UHNM, stated: “The drop-in clinic is a crucial step in reducing late presentations of head and neck cancer. By combining digital endoscopy with rapid expert reporting, we can reassure patients quickly and focus resources on those who need urgent care.”
UHNM anticipates that this model will enhance early detection rates and improve patient access across the NHS system.
A full feature article by Professor George about this development will appear in the January/February edition of ENT & Audiology News.
