10/04/2026
Small Areas, Life-Changing Impact: Inside ENT Care with Dr. Donyale Cappell
Meet Dr. Donyale Cappell, a dedicated Medical Registrar in the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Department whose journey into the specialty is rooted in both purpose and persistence. With over nine years of experience working within the ENT clinic, she has developed a deep understanding of the field and a passion for delivering specialized care.
Reflecting on how she entered the department, Dr. Cappell describes it simply as “God’s plan.” After completing her internship, she applied for a position when a vacancy became available and has remained in the department ever since, growing alongside it. In 2020, she took the next step in her professional development by entering a training programme, which she successfully completed in 2024, earning her current role as a Medical Registrar.
Working in ENT, Dr. Cappell emphasizes, is both highly specialized and deeply impactful. Though the field focuses on relatively small and delicate areas of the body; the ear, nose and throat, conditions affecting these regions can quickly become complex, dangerous, and even life-threatening. Over the years, she has witnessed the department expand its capacity, particularly with the introduction of new equipment such as microdebriders used in sinus surgery. These advancements have allowed the team to manage increasingly complex cases and steadily work toward international, first-world standards of care.
A typical day in the ENT department is anything but predictable. Clinics run throughout the week, often filled with a high volume of patients presenting with a range of concerns. In addition to clinic duties, the department conducts surgeries, usually on Thursdays and Fridays, with teams working together to address various conditions. As a surgical specialty, ENT often receives referrals from primary healthcare providers, particularly for patients whose conditions cannot be managed at the general level. This means that many of the cases seen are already advanced or complicated.
Dr. Cappell and her colleagues manage a wide spectrum of conditions, from severe ear infections such as complicated otitis media and otitis externa to more serious issues like mastoiditis, where infection spreads to the bone behind the ear and may require surgical intervention. They also treat patients with cholesteatoma, an abnormal skin growth in the middle ear that necessitates surgery, as well as sinus diseases that can progress to affect the eyes or even the brain if left untreated. The department is also involved in the management of cancers affecting the throat, voice box, and nasal passages, along with handling severe and persistent nosebleeds that sometimes require surgical control.
While much of the work is clinical and surgical, Dr. Cappell highlights that some cases require careful medical management, such as malignant otitis externa, a serious infection often seen in diabetic patients that requires prolonged antibiotic therapy. This balance between medical and surgical care is part of what makes ENT both challenging and rewarding.
For Dr. Cappell, the most fulfilling aspect of her job lies in the tangible difference she can make in a patient’s life. Whether it is helping someone hear better, resolving chronic pain, or restoring the ability to breathe comfortably, these moments are what stand out the most. She recalls how some patients initially resist procedures like tracheostomies, only to later express relief and gratitude once they experience the improvement in their breathing. These transformations reinforce the importance of the work she does every day.
Beyond treatment, Dr. Cappell is also passionate about patient education and early intervention. She encourages individuals to pay attention to warning signs such as persistent nosebleeds, loss of smell, facial pain, or difficulty breathing through the nose. In children, symptoms like constant mouth breathing, loud snoring, pauses in breathing during sleep, hyperactivity, poor concentration, and even bedwetting may indicate underlying conditions such as enlarged adenoids. Left untreated, these issues can affect a child’s development due to reduced oxygen intake, but they are often treatable with timely medical care.
Her message to the public is clear and practical. She advised, “Start by consulting your primary healthcare provider if you experience any issues with the ear, nose or throat. Not every condition requires specialist care, but general practitioners play a key role in identifying when a referral to ENT is necessary.” She also shares one simple but important piece of advice, avoid putting objects into the ears or nose, especially in children, as this is a common cause of injury and emergency visits.
Through her years of service, Dr. Cappell continues to embody dedication, compassion, and expertise in a field where even the smallest structures can have the biggest impact on a person’s quality of life.
