It was due to the uniqueness of this specialty that the groups founder Di Clancy, felt that nurses working in this specialty would gain significantly by forming a network to share knowledge, experience, problems and solutions. So from small beginnings in a Brisbane hospital in 1996, the group has grown from the 8-10 founding members to currently having over 650 nurses nationally and international on the membership database.

Incorporating paediatric and adult nursing, the group was established to have a point of reference for all nurses and allied health professionals working within the realm of Head and Neck Cancer Surgery and Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery, Obstructive Sleep and Voice Surgery and specialities areas such as caring for the Laryngectomy or Tracheostomy patient.

State Chapters

We have active chapters in South Australia, N.S.W, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia. Chapters in both ACT and Tasmania are currently vacant.

In 2007 New Zealand became a chapter of the Australian group but grew so rapidly, that they are now a stand alone group with an affiliation to OHNNG. OHNNG is also affiliated with the American ORL H&N group “SOHN”.

Each year the state coordinators are responsible for running clinical meetings, information sessions, study days and ENT focused events.

National Conference

Annually OHNNG holds a National Conference, which runs for three to four days concurrently with the surgical scientific, meeting ASOHNS (Australian Society Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgeons) annually around Australia. This is usually held in March or April each year.

Newsletter

Currently we produce a very comprehensive newsletter (18-22 pages) “ENT SCOPE” that not only endeavours to maintain contact with our members but to provide current evidence based information, websites and latest published articles in this ever expanding field.