Clinic closed Good Friday 3rd April and bank holiday Monday 6th April
Same/Next Day GP Appointments
Leading Day Surgery
Consultant Led Specialist Clinics
Clinic closed Good Friday 3rd April and bank holiday Monday 6th April
Same/Next Day GP Appointments
Leading Day Surgery
Consultant Led Specialist Clinics
Our Consultant ENT Surgeon Mrs Kate Heathcote assesses and treats tongue tie in babies, children and adolescents. Using precise, minimally invasive techniques, we provide thorough assessments and tailored treatment plans, ensuring you receive expert, patient-focused care with transparent pricing and no hidden costs.
Tongue tie, also known as ankyloglossia, is a condition where the frenulum, the strip of tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth, is shorter or tighter than usual. This restricts tongue movement and can cause difficulties with feeding in babies and, later, with speech and oral development in older children.
Tongue tie affects an estimated 4–11% of newborns in the UK, making it more common than many parents realise. It can affect both boys and girls, though it is slightly more prevalent in boys. Early assessment is important, as untreated tongue tie can have a lasting impact on feeding, speech and oral development.
The exact cause of tongue tie is not fully understood, but it is thought to be genetic in origin and can run in families. It occurs when the frenulum fails to separate from the underside of the tongue during foetal development, resulting in a shorter or tighter band of tissue than usual.
A tongue tie may be visible as a tight or short band of tissue beneath the tongue, sometimes causing the tongue tip to appear heart-shaped or notched when the baby cries or attempts to extend the tongue. Posterior tongue ties sit further back in the mouth and can be harder to identify without specialist examination.
An anterior tongue tie is visible at the front of the mouth, where the frenulum is clearly attached near the tip of the tongue. A posterior tongue tie sits further back and is often harder to identify without specialist assessment. Both can restrict tongue movement and may require treatment depending on severity.
Common signs include difficulty latching during breastfeeding, poor weight gain, a clicking sound during feeding and visible frustration at the breast or bottle. If you are concerned your baby may have tongue tie, Mrs Kate Heathcote offers professional assessments at our private clinic in Canford Cliffs.
A specialist assessment is the most reliable way to confirm tongue tie. Mrs Kate Heathcote will examine your baby or child’s mouth, assessing the tongue’s range of motion and the degree of frenulum restriction. If treatment is needed, she will discuss the procedure and next steps with you at the same appointment.
The procedure involves a precise release of the frenulum to allow greater freedom of tongue movement. It is quick, safe and performed on-site at Haven Medical by Mrs Kate Heathcote. Most babies can return to feeding almost immediately following the procedure, with full healing typically occurring within a few days to a week.
Tongue tie treatment at Haven Medical costs £350. This includes the initial consultation, assessment and treatment. There are no hidden fees.
Yes. In addition to treating babies and young children, Mrs Kate Heathcote also assesses and treats tongue tie in older children and adolescents, including more complex cases that may have been missed earlier in life. If you are an adult concerned about tongue tie, please contact us to discuss your situation.
No. You can book directly with Haven Medical without a GP referral. If you are concerned about tongue tie in your baby, child or yourself, contact us to arrange an assessment with Mrs Kate Heathcote at our clinic in Canford Cliffs.
Transparent, competitive pricing for private ENT care with no hidden costs. All consultations include a thorough assessment and personalised treatment plan. Additional tests and procedures are discussed and agreed before proceeding.
Under 1 year old
We are able to accept patients who are insured by AXA, WPA, Vitality and BUPA. Insurance policies vary so it is worth checking with your insurer as to what they will cover.
Kate is an ENT consultant at the University Hospitals Dorset where she practices general, routine and emergency ENT. She has a special interest in laryngology and established the centre for Airway, Voice and Swallow at Poole Hospital.She has national and international research interests in the field of laryngology for which she travels widely lecturing, teaching and mentoring international surgeons. She is on the council of the British European Laryngological Association and the European Laryngology Society and as such has a depth of international colleagues to collaborate in her practice.All this is light relief from her real work a ...
Emma is an experienced Consultant Ear Nose and Throat Surgeon, with a specialist interest in diagnosing and treating Head and Neck Cancer. In addition to her clinical practice, she is a Professor of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, where she works with teams of scientists to understand how tumours can be manipulated, to improve response to treatment.Emma lives locally with her family in the New Forest where they enjoy all outdoor pursuits. Although she has had to accept that her children can comfortably out-run and out-swim her, she can, at the time of writing, still beat them at Monopoly!
Vita Heathcote is a highly skilled Aural Care specialist, joining the team at Haven Medical Centre. With training completed between 2018 and 2024, Vita has gained a comprehensive understanding of aural health, which includes anatomy, pathology, and infection control, all while developing expertise in using specialised equipment such as otoscopes, microscopes, and micro-suction tools.Her training includes over 20 hours of theory and shadowing with Susan Lynne Dean at Poole Hospital and more than 20 hours of supervised practical sessions at various clinics. Vita has had the privilege of working alongside the ANP aural care team at Poole Ho ...
Kate is an ENT consultant at the University Hospitals Dorset where she practices general, routine and emergency ENT. She has a special interest in laryngology and established the centre for Airway, Voice and Swallow at Poole Hospital.She has national and international research interests in the field of laryngology for which she travels widely lecturing, teaching and mentoring international surgeons. She is on the council of the British European Laryngological Association and the European Laryngology Society and as such has a depth of international colleagues to collaborate in her practice.All this is light relief from her real work a ...
Emma is an experienced Consultant Ear Nose and Throat Surgeon, with a specialist interest in diagnosing and treating Head and Neck Cancer. In addition to her clinical practice, she is a Professor of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, where she works with teams of scientists to understand how tumours can be manipulated, to improve response to treatment.Emma lives locally with her family in the New Forest where they enjoy all outdoor pursuits. Although she has had to accept that her children can comfortably out-run and out-swim her, she can, at the time of writing, still beat them at Monopoly!
Vita Heathcote is a highly skilled Aural Care specialist, joining the team at Haven Medical Centre. With training completed between 2018 and 2024, Vita has gained a comprehensive understanding of aural health, which includes anatomy, pathology, and infection control, all while developing expertise in using specialised equipment such as otoscopes, microscopes, and micro-suction tools.Her training includes over 20 hours of theory and shadowing with Susan Lynne Dean at Poole Hospital and more than 20 hours of supervised practical sessions at various clinics. Vita has had the privilege of working alongside the ANP aural care team at Poole Ho ...
At Haven Medical, we offer a comprehensive range of private medical services across multiple specialities — all under one trusted roof. From diagnostics and consultations to specialist treatments and wellness programmes, our expert team is here to support every aspect of your health and wellbeing.
General information about Haven Medical and our services.
Feel free to reach out through our Enquiry form for any questions you may have or if you need assistance with scheduling alternatives.
Please call on 01202 110303
Available Mon-Fri, 8.30am to 6.00pm
Haven Medical’s practice is conveniently located in Canfords Cliffs (just between Bournemouth and Poole) in Dorset.
15 Haven Road, Canford Cliffs, Poole, BH13 7LE
Mon-Fri: 08:30 – 18:00
Saturday: 09:00 – 13:00
Expert advice and the latest insights on ear, nose, and throat health from Haven Medical’s ENT team.
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