Written By: Aimee Hughes on 12th August 2025
ENT NewsInsourcing refers to the process of bringing outside clinical teams into NHS hospitals or clinics. They provide services on-site, often outside regular working hours. Unlike outsourcing, which typically refers patients to private settings, insourcing keeps care within NHS facilities. This ensures continuity, familiarity for patients, and full use of existing NHS infrastructure.
In ENT and Audiology, insourced teams often include consultant surgeons, audiologists, specialist nurses, and administrative support. These teams deliver diagnostic assessments, outpatient clinics, minor procedures, full theatre support, and follow-up care. The NHS Trust governs all work. Insourcing providers such as Your Medical Services coordinate clinical delivery and ensure compliance, quality, and operational efficiency.
“The benefit of insourcing are that it brings additional clinical resources right into the heart of our service,” says Anneka Jones, ENT Service Manager. “It allows us to use the Trust's theatres and equipment to maintain continuity, and see more patients without disrupting the existing workforce.”
Many ENT and Audiology professionals choose insourcing to complement their NHS roles. It offers a flexible way to broaden their clinical exposure while continuing to support public health services. Clinicians often enjoy working in new places. They like to focus on direct patient care and help reduce waiting times.
While financial compensation is competitive, most clinicians cite professional development, autonomy, and the satisfaction of helping address unmet demand as key motivators. Insourcing gives more control over scheduling and workload. This makes it a good choice for skilled professionals who want variety without leaving the NHS system.
“For clinicians, insourcing provides a rare opportunity to make an immediate, visible impact on patient care,” says Anneka. “They get to focus purely on clinical delivery, often seeing and treating dozens of patients in a weekend, which makes a real dent in NHS waiting list figures.”
Strong clinical knowledge is only part of what makes someone effective in an insourcing role. Success depends on being adaptable, responsive, and able to work efficiently within new systems and teams. Clinicians must be confident in managing cases independently while also integrating smoothly with existing NHS staff and processes.
Commitment to clinical governance is essential. Insourcing clinicians are expected to maintain high standards, follow Trust protocols, and deliver care that matches the quality of in-house teams.
People who succeed in this job often appreciate teamwork. They also value clear communication, and they focus on patient safety and service quality.
The waiting lists for ENT and Audiology have grown a lot in recent years. This is due to an increase in referrals and the lasting effects of the pandemic. Insourcing provides a practical solution to these pressures by expanding clinical capacity during evenings, weekends, and non-core hours. We collaborate with the Trust staff to ensure they manage backlogs and waiting lists efficiently.
This approach helps Trusts meet national waiting time targets. It also improves patient access to tests and treatment. Additionally, it reduces the need for private sector referrals.
Insourcing enables the NHS to treat more patients within its own facilities and standards, often at a lower cost and with greater continuity of care. According to NHS England, expanding elective capacity within NHS settings is essential to long-term recovery, and insourcing directly supports that goal.
“Without insourcing, it would be difficult to meet the demand we're currently seeing in ENT,” Anneka adds. “It’s a lifeline for maintaining patient care while safeguarding the well-being of NHS core staff.”
All insourcing clinicians must be properly registered and compliant with relevant professional and regulatory requirements. ENT surgeons should be on the GMC Specialist Register and follow clinical standards set by the Royal College of Surgeons.
Audiologists need to be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) or The Academy for Health Science (AHCS). They are usually part of professional groups. Examples include the British Academy of Audiology and the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists.
Insourcing providers require evidence of registration, DBS clearance, clinical references, and continuing professional development. This ensures that all clinicians meet the highest standards of competence, safety, and professionalism.
If you are a qualified ENT or Audiology clinician, you may want to explore working with an insourcing company. Start by finding trusted providers, like Your Medical Services. These providers should work directly with NHS Trusts. Choose organisations with a strong track record in your specialty and clear governance frameworks.
You should be fully registered, with up-to-date training, CPD records, and relevant clinical experience in the services you wish to deliver. Flexibility is crucial, as most insourcing work occurs outside standard hours and often involves working in unfamiliar environments. It is essential to approach this work with the same level of responsibility and commitment as any other NHS clinical role.
Many clinicians find that insourcing is an effective way to enhance patient care. It also enables them to gain new experiences and advance their careers. For those with the right skills and motivation, it can be an excellent complement to regular NHS practice.
For more information about YMS's ENT services and backlogs, refer to our case studies here.
ENT and Audiology insourcing is helping to expand NHS capacity, reduce waiting times, and improve access to specialist care. For NHS Trusts, it provides a reliable and efficient way to deliver more services without straining existing staff or infrastructure. For clinicians, it provides a flexible and valuable means of supporting public healthcare when it is needed most.
To learn more about how ENT and Audiology insourcing can support your service, visit Your Medical Services.
Written By: Aimee Hughes on 16th September 2025
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