Concierge laryngoscopy · London
Private laryngoscopy in London, by an ENT consultant.
A thin flexible camera through the nose to see the throat and vocal cords - the definitive test for persistent hoarseness, cough or swallowing symptoms. Performed by an ENT consultant.
Why patients choose us
- 01
ENT consultants, not registrars
You are scoped by a consultant ENT surgeon on the day - the same person who explains the findings.
- 02
Stroboscopy for voice cases
Singers, teachers and public speakers get stroboscopy in units that see voice work every week.
- 03
We chase the biopsy
When tissue is taken, we make sure the histology comes back and is explained.
Indicative pricing
What a private laryngoscopy costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A flexible nasoendoscopy in clinic: £250-£500, with findings on the day.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Report turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flexible nasoendoscopy | £250–£500 | 15 min | Same visit |
| Fibreoptic laryngoscopy | £400–£800 | 20–30 min | Same visit |
| Stroboscopic laryngoscopy | £600–£1,100 | 30–45 min | 24–48 hrs |
| Direct laryngoscopy under GA | £2,500–£4,500 | 30–60 min | 5–10 days |
| Rigid laryngoscopy with biopsy | £3,000–£5,500 | 45–90 min | 7–14 days |
| Follow-up / surveillance | £400–£800 | 20–30 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by unit, whether stroboscopy or GA is used, and whether a biopsy is taken. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
Hoarse for weeks, and no one has looked properly.
The single best test for a persistently hoarse voice is a look at the vocal cords. It takes minutes in clinic and gives an answer the same day.
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Hoarse for more than three weeks?
That is a red-flag symptom. We can scope it within days - do not sit on it.
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Voice is your job?
Ask for stroboscopy. It is the only way to see subtle vibratory changes on the vocal cords.
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Not sure you need one?
Sometimes speech therapy, reflux treatment or a scan is the better first step. We will say so.
The journey
From enquiry to report - what happens, in order.
One clinician from first message to results - including the bit after the procedure.
Phase 1 · Before your procedure
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
~45-60 minutes at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
You tell us what is going on
A short, confidential form. Symptoms, timeline, referral or insurer if you have them.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: which scope, which consultant, indicative price. If laryngoscopy isn’t the right first step, we say so.
- 03
Before
We arrange the appointment
Usually within a week. Most flexible scopes are done in clinic on the same visit as the consultation.
- 04
On the day
Arrival, consent and anaesthetic
You meet your ENT consultant. A local anaesthetic spray numbs your nose and throat. It tastes odd for a minute.
- 05
On the day
The procedure itself
A thin flexible camera passes through one nostril to the back of the throat. It takes a couple of minutes. You can breathe and swallow throughout.
- 06
On the day
Findings on the screen
Your consultant shows you the vocal cords and pharynx on the monitor and explains what they see, then and there.
- 07
After
Follow-up and any biopsy
If a biopsy or stroboscopy under GA is needed, we arrange it. Histology, when taken, follows in 7-14 days and we make sure it is explained.
Typical end-to-end: 1-2 weeks. Urgent cases: days.
What it shows
Find the reason that matches your symptom.
Laryngoscopy answers questions no other test can - a direct view of the vocal cords, in colour, on the screen. These are the reasons people come to us.
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Persistent hoarseness > 3 weeks
The single most important reason to have the throat scoped.
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Chronic cough
Rules out laryngeal irritation, reflux and vocal cord causes.
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Swallowing difficulty (globus)
That "lump in the throat" feeling that will not settle.
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Neck lump
Direct view of the pharynx and larynx alongside neck examination.
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Reflux affecting the throat
Diagnoses laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and posterior laryngitis.
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Voice change in a professional voice user
Singers, teachers, actors, broadcasters - stroboscopy shows the detail.
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Suspected mass or lesion
Polyps, nodules, cysts and suspicious lesions - seen and photographed.
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Red flag: unexplained hoarseness > 3 weeks
A 2-week wait pathway. Do not sit on it - we scope quickly.
Procedure types
Not all laryngoscopies are the same.
What each option on your referral is actually for.
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Flexible nasoendoscopy (through the nose)
A thin flexible scope through one nostril to the back of the throat. In clinic, under local spray, in a couple of minutes.
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Fibreoptic laryngoscopy
Detailed view of the vocal cords and larynx using a fibreoptic scope, with video capture for review.
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Stroboscopic laryngoscopy (voice detail)
Uses strobe light to slow the vibrating vocal cords - the gold standard for voice complaints.
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Direct laryngoscopy under GA
A rigid scope under general anaesthetic - used to reach the whole larynx and take biopsies.
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Rigid laryngoscopy with biopsy
Under GA in theatre, with tissue sampling and microlaryngeal surgery if needed.
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Trans-nasal oesophagoscopy (extended)
When symptoms suggest the problem sits lower - the scope continues into the upper oesophagus.
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Videolaryngoscopy
HD video capture during the scope - useful for follow-up comparison and second opinions.
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Paediatric laryngoscopy
For children with stridor, hoarseness or breathing noise - specialist paediatric ENT lists only.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of clinics, we picked them.
Partners across central, north, west and south London. Not listed publicly - introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every clinic in our network.
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CQC-registered ENT clinics and day-case units
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Performed by consultant ENT surgeons
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Modern flexible scopes with video capture
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Stroboscopy available for voice cases
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Biopsies read by consultant histopathologists in UKAS-accredited labs
Safety and eligibility
Very safe - a couple of things to plan around.
Flexible laryngoscopy is one of the safest ENT investigations. The details worth knowing before you come in.
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Local anaesthetic spray
The spray numbs the nose and throat. Tastes bitter for a minute or two, wears off in half an hour.
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Brief discomfort
A mild gag reflex is common - most people describe it as odd rather than painful. It is over in a couple of minutes.
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A little nosebleed
Your nose may bleed a small amount as the scope passes. It settles quickly on its own.
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Active infection
Not suitable during severe flu or a heavy nose infection - we rebook a week or two later.
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Pregnancy is fine
Flexible nasoendoscopy under local spray is safe in pregnancy. GA laryngoscopy is deferred unless essential.
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General anaesthetic option
Direct and rigid laryngoscopy need a GA. A pre-op assessment covers the anaesthetic and fasting.
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Fasting for GA
Nothing to eat for 6 hours and clear fluids up to 2 hours before your GA slot. The clinic confirms times.
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Anticoagulation and biopsy
Warfarin, DOACs and clopidogrel may need pausing before a biopsy. Never stop on your own - we coordinate it.
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Voice rest after biopsy
A few days of gentle voice rest is usually advised after a vocal cord biopsy - the consultant will confirm.
Reading your report
A laryngoscopy report can look intimidating. It isn’t.
However much was examined, the report keeps to the same four parts.
A quiet reminder
You will be shown the headline on the day - the biopsy detail takes a little longer.
If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.
- 01 Header
Your details and the indication
Your details, what was examined, and the symptoms behind the referral.
- 02 Technique
How the scope was done
Which scope was used, whether spray or GA, and the anatomy visualised.
- 03 Findings
What the consultant saw
Nasopharynx, pharynx, larynx and vocal cords described in turn, with any polyp, nodule, redness or lesion recorded.
- 04 Impression
The conclusion: read this first
Normal, reflux changes, polyp or nodule, or suspicious lesion - read this first. Any histology follows in 7-14 days.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Most policies cover laryngoscopy when clinically indicated; we confirm cover and pre-authorisation before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about laryngoscopy.
Quick answers on cost, comfort, urgency, results and when a GA is needed.
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What does a laryngoscopy actually show?
It gives a direct view of the back of the nose, the pharynx, the larynx and the vocal cords. It is the definitive test for persistent hoarseness, chronic throat clearing, globus (lump-in-the-throat), suspected reflux affecting the voice, and any suspected mass in the throat.
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Through the nose or through the mouth?
The routine test is through the nose - flexible nasoendoscopy under a local spray, in clinic, in a couple of minutes. Direct and rigid laryngoscopy go through the mouth and are done under general anaesthetic when a biopsy or a full theatre look is needed.
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How uncomfortable is it?
The local anaesthetic spray tastes bitter and numbs the throat for about half an hour. The scope itself feels odd rather than painful - most people describe a brief gag sensation. It is over in a couple of minutes and you can go straight back to work.
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How much does a private laryngoscopy cost in London?
A flexible nasoendoscopy in clinic is typically £250-£500. A full fibreoptic laryngoscopy is £400-£800. Stroboscopy for voice cases is £600-£1,100. Direct or rigid laryngoscopy under GA starts around £2,500. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.
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Do I need a referral?
A laryngoscopy is arranged with a short ENT consultation first, and the scope is usually done in the same visit. We can arrange that consultation quickly - no GP letter needed to get started.
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I have been hoarse for over three weeks - how urgent is this?
Unexplained hoarseness lasting more than three weeks is a NICE red-flag symptom and follows a 2-week wait pathway on the NHS. We can arrange consultant laryngoscopy within days - do not sit on it.
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I use my voice professionally - what should I ask for?
Ask for stroboscopic laryngoscopy in a unit that regularly sees voice work. The strobe light effectively slows the vibrating vocal cords so tiny lesions, scarring and vibratory asymmetry become visible - which a standard scope can miss.
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When do I get the results?
The findings are shown to you on the screen and explained on the day. If tissue is biopsied, histology usually takes 7-14 days and we make sure it comes back and is explained.
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When is a general anaesthetic needed?
A GA is used for direct or rigid laryngoscopy when the whole larynx needs to be inspected, when a biopsy or microlaryngeal surgery is required, or in children. Most adult diagnostic scopes do not need a GA.
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When should I call my GP or 999 instead?
Sudden difficulty breathing, stridor (a noisy breathing sound), or an inability to swallow your own saliva need emergency assessment today - call 999 or go to A&E. For any lump in the neck, coughing up blood, or hoarseness with weight loss, see your GP urgently. We can arrange follow-up private laryngoscopy afterwards.
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