Aims: To evaluate parents' satisfaction with medical and allied health services provided to children with Down syndrome in north-west England, comparing ENT and its allied services with other areas of health service provision.
Methods: A questionnaire survey of parents attending a north-west England Down syndrome association conference. Demographic data, departments visited, satisfaction with each service (scored one to five), waiting times for each service (scored one to five), service need (scored one to three) and accessibility (scored one to three) were recorded.
Results: Otolaryngology had been used by 50 per cent of children, with a satisfaction of 2.63 (the second worst score). Speech and language therapy was used by 90 per cent of the children, with a satisfaction of 3.26 (the worst score). The service felt to be most needed and also most difficult to access was speech and language therapy.
Conclusion: Otorhinolaryngology departments should assess how they can improve their service to this population with specific ENT needs. Speech and language services for children with Down syndrome should be expanded.