ENT Surgeon Mr Philip Robinson and Paediatric team save 10 year old's hearing

Stop for a second and just listen to everything going on around you. Whether it's the background noise of the television or radio, the whisper of the wind or the rumble of an engine, sound is a powerful thing, that is sometimes taken for granted.

However, not for 10-year-old Ruby whose story starts after she had suffered from what seemed to be a few ear infections last year.

After visiting her local GP, Lisa Jacobson, mother to Ruby, asked to be referred to a Consultant specialist at Spire Bristol Hospital knowing her private health insurance covered her daughter.

Within just a couple of weeks, she had the referral to see Mr Philip Robinson, a Consultant Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgeon working at Spire Bristol Hospital. Mr Robinson explained:

“Ruby came to see me with a history of ear infections and hearing loss. My examination revealed that she had chronic ear infections due to cysts forming in both ears that were eroding the hearing mechanism in her middle ears. I explained to Ruby and her mother that operations would be needed to remove the disease, repair her ear drum and try to save her hearing.” 

Ruby had her first operation to remove the cysts back in May 2015. This year Ruby’s treatment has continued with a surgical procedure to help rebuild the middle ear bones that eroded away due to the cyst inside her ear. We asked Lisa Jacobson what it was like for her and her daughter at Spire Bristol Hospital:

“Until we were referred to Mr Robinson we weren’t exactly sure what was wrong. All I knew was it was distressing for my daughter who was suffering with the pain of ear infections. Mr Robinson instantly came across (as) calming and compassionate. He could tell I was worried, like any parent would be.

"His approach to my daughter’s condition was excellent and I can’t fault the way he made her and myself feel at ease during the time in his care, explaining to me everything throughout our journey.”

Lisa went on to explain that Ruby was very apprehensive about the way she would be put to sleep. Therefore an anaesthetist at the hospital rang to discuss the options and opted for a different type of anaesthetic, in order to suppress her daughter’s worries. And this first class care didn’t seem to stop there.

“The nurses were amazing," Lisa continued. "They were always on hand for everything, whether it was for pain relief for Ruby, or a cup of tea for me. I thank them for their kindness - I know it’s their job, but they made us feel special.

“I cannot thank everyone enough for their help and for Mr Robinson’s care, before, the day of and after Ruby's surgery. Without them and Spire Bristol Hospital I feel Ruby would have been deaf now, because our regular doctor could not diagnose the problem that was causing Ruby so much discomfort.”

Ruby has since recovered well from all of her surgery and will be back at Spire Bristol Hospital later this year for the final part of her treatment. Spire Bristol is one of only a few private hospitals in the area who offer a range of procedures for children three years and over. They have a dedicated team of highly skilled and experienced paediatric nurses and also have a paediatric high dependency unit, which allows the hospital to carry out more complex paediatric cases not found at other private hospitals.

Whether you are paying for treatment yourself or going through insurance, Spire Bristol Hospital can offer treatment for everybody. For more information about our services please get in touch by calling the patient treatment advisors on 0117 980 4080 or email info@spirebristol.com.