Dr Bridget Clancy

Dr Bridget Clancy is an Ear, Nose, Throat & Head & Neck surgeon. She offers expert care to adults and children.

The private practice team includes an ENT clinical nurse specialist and dedicated administrative staff.

We value respect and effective communication in our service to patients. Our practice aims to provide excellent surgical services to the region. Our team aims for continuous improvement and innovation.

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Questions frequently asked by kids about surgeons

Are surgeons doctors?

Yes, you need to become a doctor before you can train as a surgeon.

How do you get to become a surgeon?

You need to:

  1. finish VCE;
  2. Go to university for around six years.

Now you are a doctor.

Then you need to:

  1. Work as an intern for a year. An intern is a junior doctor working in a hospital and supervised by more senior doctors;
  2. Work for another 2-4 years in a hospital then pass an exam. In this phase you are called a resident or hospital medical officer;
  3. Apply for a training programme in surgery at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons;
  4. Then work for another 4-5 years in a hospital as a surgical registrar;
  5. Pass a final set of exams.

Now you are a surgeon!

How long does it take to become a surgeon?

It took me 15 years: 6 years at university and 9 years working in hospitals, studying and passing exams.

Why some surgeons are called Mister instead of Doctor?

Many years ago, surgeons weren’t doctors and so were called Mister (Mr) rather than Doctor (Dr). At that time, it was also unheard of for women to be doctors or surgeons!  If you want to find out more about surgeons in the past, try googling “barber surgeons”. In some Australian states, when a male doctor becomes a surgeon, they choose to change their title from “Dr” to “Mr”.  In other states they keep the title of “Dr”. It can get complicated for women surgeons who can be called Dr, Ms, Miss or Mrs. Dr Clancy chooses to keep the title “Doctor (Dr)”. Lots of kids and some adults get confused when doctors aren’t called “Doctor”. As a feminist, Dr Clancy also prefers a title that is the same for men as for women surgeons.

To add to the confusion, anyone (even a child) can call themselves “Doctor”. There is no law preventing it. If you are choosing to see a health practitioner than uses the title of “Doctor” you can look them up on the AHPRA website to find out whether they really are a doctor.

Do you actually do the operation?

Yes!

Practice Nurse

Brooke Rawlings

Registered Nurse, BNurs 

Brooke studied Bachelor of Nursing at Deakin University, Warrnambool. She commenced her nursing career at South West Healthcare before joining the practice in 2017. Brooke is passionate about providing healthcare within the practice setting. Along with her clinical skills, Brooke also has an extensive administration background.

Brooke supports Dr Clancy’s care of patients through:

  • Ear Plug fitting: we recommend, fit and supply Doc’s Proplugs for swimming after ear surgery.
  • Triage of patient referrals to ensure patients get the right care at the right time.
  • Ensuring all medical instruments, endoscopes and other equipment are sterilised in accordance with Australian Standards and maintained for patient safety and efficiency.
  • Scheduling surgery for patients or facilitating placement on public hospital waiting lists. Contacting patients before and after surgery to answer questions, provide advice and arrange further care as needed.
  • Assisting Dr Clancy with office surgical procedures.

Administration and Reception

Emily Gleeson

Certificate III in Business

Emily joined the practice in 2019 whilst completing her Certificate III in Business. Emily is passionate about providing quality customer service and ensuring all patients have a positive experience when visiting the clinic. During consulting Emily provides administration and clinical support.

Associates

Dr Emily Young MBChB FRCS

Otorhinolaryngologist Head and Neck Surgeon, Neurotologist

Dr Young earned her medical degree from the University of Leeds in the UK and her fellowship in ENT/Head and Neck Surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons UK in 2016.  She then undertook a further 2 years of specialist otology and neurotology training in Vancouver, Canada under the tutelage of Dr Brian Westerberg and Dr Jane Lea at St Paul’s Hospital and Vancouver General Hospital.

As part of her fellowship she undertook lab-based research examining how olfactory stem cells might be used to regenerate hearing in patients with sensorineural hearing loss and completed her master’s degree in public health (MPH).

Emily has a general ENT practice and a subspecialty interest in ear disease, particularly chronic ear disease and vertigo.  She consults from Dr Bridget Clancy’s consulting rooms at 55 Banyan Street and operates as a VMO surgeon at South West Healthcare, Camperdown Hospital and St John of God hospital in Warrnambool.  She does not perform cosmetic surgery.

Her interests include:

  • Chronic ear disease, including cholesteatoma and tympanic perforation
  • Vertigo including Meniere’s disease
  • Management of sudden sensorineural hearing loss, with the use intratympanic dexamethasone injections, a new treatment for South West Victoria
  • Investigation of thyroid nodules and thyroidectomy
  • Medical management of chronic rhinosinusitis
  • Functional endoscopic sinus disease, septoplasty and turbinoplasty
  • Tonsillectomy
  • Middle ear disease in children and adults, including middle ear ventilation tubes and adenoid surgery
  • Paediatric ENT