Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo nurse-led follow-up clinic

Patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) often require multiple appointments for treatment with Epley manoeuvres. Waiting times for medical follow up can be very long. To reduce waiting times and increase availability of ENT outpatients' appointments, a nurse-led dizziness clinic (NLDC) to follow up BPPV patients was established. Prospective audit of 99 consecutive patients attending the NLDC, at which patients are assessed and treated, was conducted. Non-responders are redirected for further medical review. 99 patients were seen in 200 appointments in the NLDC from July 2007 to May 2009. The mean time to NLDC was 16 days. 67 patients were discharged from the NLDC free of symptoms. Cost analysis revealed savings of £3,800. A survey of NLDC attendees revealed that the care they received was rated as excellent, very good or good by 92% of patients. In conclusion, the NLDC is an innovation which increases availability of ENT outpatient appointments. This is acceptable to patients and is a natural extension of the roles of ENT nurse practitioners which could be implemented in other ENT departments.