MBChB, FRCS (ORL-HNS), PhD
27 years of experience
Edinburgh, EH22 1FE
28 connections in healthcare
Skill endorsed
by Mr Eamon Shamil, Dr. James Robertson and 4 other professionals
27 years of experience
Edinburgh, EH22 1FE
28 connections in healthcare
Skill endorsed
by Mr Eamon Shamil, Dr. James Robertson and 4 other professionals
Areas of expertise
Contact
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I am an ENT surgeon who trained in Scotland, London and New York. I now live and work in Edinburgh and patients with all ENT and head and neck conditions.
When you are experiencing a worrying symptom like a neck lump, a throat issue, or a change in your voice, what you need above all else is rapid clarity and absolute reassurance. As the Clinical Lead for ENT Surgery in Edinburgh, my practice is built entirely around providing a warm, educational, and deeply reassuring environment. I believe that a patient who truly understands their condition is a patient who feels empowered. In my clinic, you will never be rushed, and you will leave with a clear, step-by-step roadmap for your recovery.
To ensure you get answers quickly, my practice at Spire provides seamless, rapid access to a full suite of cutting-edge diagnostics, including on-site ultrasound, CT scans, MRI, and comprehensive audiograms.
**A Pioneering, Minimally Invasive Surgical Ethos**
My clinical philosophy is rooted in preserving your natural anatomy wherever possible through advanced, minimally invasive techniques. I am recognized as a national leader in two highly specialized areas:
* **Advanced Parotid Surgery:** I am currently the only fellowship-trained ENT surgeon in the region offering *extracapsular dissection* for parotid gland tumors—a highly precise, minimally invasive technique featured by the BBC for its ability to protect facial nerves and accelerate recovery.
* **Conservative Thyroid Cancer Management:** I am at the forefront of a modern, conservative approach to thyroid cancer, prioritizing close, meticulous surveillance and targeted treatments over unnecessary, aggressive major surgeries.
**Academic Authority & Trusted Care**
My commitment to the future of ENT medicine is reflected in my role as a co-author of the *Scott-Brown's Otolaryngology (9th Edition)*—widely regarded as the UK’s most authoritative and definitive textbook on ear, nose, and throat surgery.
While my academic and leadership credentials reflect the highest standards of surgical excellence, my proudest achievements are found in my patient feedback. I encourage you to read my Doctify reviews, where patients consistently highlight the speed of their diagnosis, the warmth of our consultations, and the profound peace of mind they felt after placing their care in our hands.
Click the bar to read reviews or skill endorsements
General Medical Council
No. 4614412
University of Glasgow
Medicine
Graduated 1999
University of Amsterdam
Thyroid Cancer
Graduated 2023
MBChB - University of Glasgow, UK in 1999
FRCS (ORL-HNS) - Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, UK in 2009
PhD - University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands in 2013
Read publications and papers written by this specialist.
14 / 07 / 2026
Salvage Neck Dissection in Recurrent Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma After Primary Radiotherapy (RESCUE): An IReC Multicentre Consecutive Cohort Study
Published in Head and Neck
16 / 06 / 2026
Neoadjuvant tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy for locally advanced, well-differentiated thyroid cancer
Published in Surgeon
01 / 07 / 2026
Not all guidelines are created equal: Rigour, evidence, and the case for transparent adaptation in papillary thyroid cancer guidance
Published in European Journal of Surgical Oncology
01 / 06 / 2026
Subcentimeter thyroid nodules: Diagnostic challenges, risk stratification and management in contemporary surgical oncology practice
Published in European Journal of Surgical Oncology
New appointment
£250Follow-up appointment
£17510 Easter Shawfair, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, EH22 1FE
Areas of expertise
Contact
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This summary was created by AI based on recent reviews
Mr Iain Nixon is clear with patients. He listens and explains each health plan. Patients feel at ease in his care. Main areas are hearing loss and adult ear, nose and throat surgery.
I went in anxious, unsure and quite deflated. I left clear headed, freshly hopeful, validated and calmer. Such a wonderful doctor. Clearly deeply engaged in his field and a clear thinker and charismatic communicator. Has been a profound marker in my health trajectory already. Lost beforehand after years of disinterested physicians and no progress or plan to even alleviate symptoms of chronic conditions let alone resolve them Not anymore. Couldn’t recommmend highly enough

Thanks so much, glad this was a useful experience form you and thanks for leaving a review!
Very clear expert assessment. Sensible advice gladly taken.

👍
He got me in, put me at ease and made sure I understood exactly what the steps were to finding a diagnosis and resolving the problem. He got me booked in for scans quickly as well. Finally feeling optimistic about my future. Thanks Dr Nixon!

Glad this was a positive experience and I am sure all will be well. Thanks for leaving a review.
I attended Mr Nixon for a second opinion after a vestibular issue that has affected my balance and life for 12 weeks now. He was patient , kind, interested and clear in his thoughts and explanations. He gave me great re assurance. A great doctor and a thoroughly nice man. A breath of fresh air. Would highly recommend .

Glad this was a positive experience and thanks so much for leaving a review!
Very friendly which put me at ease. Explained everything in full to help put my mind at rest.

Glad to hear this was a positive experience and I am sure we can get that scan quick! Thanks for leaving a review!
Extremely happy with my visit to Mr Nixon. Clarified many things for me and was an excellent listener. I would thoroughly recommend him.

I hope I can continue to lend some support here! Thanks for taking time to leave a review!
Went to wrong clinic but not a problem, arrived 29 mins late at correct clinic then sort wait and received great advice and help.

Sorry about the initial mix up but we got there in the end. Thanks for taking time to leave a review!
Dr Nixon was wonderful and put my mind at rest confirming I was healthy. He took the time to explain everything I was feeling and for the first time in weeks I feel so much better and relieved. First class doctor.

I am glad this was reassuring and thanks so much for leaving a review!
I felt listened to and was given the reassurance I was looking for. Everything was explained in detail but in a clear way that was easy to understand.

I am glad this was a positive experience. Thanks for taking time to leave a review
Iain spent some time explaining to me the different types of hearing loss, and this was very interesting and useful for me. He put my mind at rest about the particular hearing issue that I brought to him.

So glad this was a positive experience and thanks for leaving a review!

Mr Eamon Shamil
ENT SurgeonMr Nixon has a great reputation as an ENT Surgeon. He is always very accommodating, willing to give help and advice to colleagues when required.
10 Jun 2026
Dr. James Robertson
General PractitionerMr Nixon is a renowned ENT surgeon who is a respected opinion nationally. I would seek his opinion for patients with complex ENT issues and would recommend his care to friends and family.
18 May 2026
Mr Samuel Mackenzie
Orthopaedic SurgeonIain is a very highly experienced and respected ENT surgeon, offering excellence in his clinical approach and very clear, very compassionate expertise to his patients. I would thoroughly recommend him.
01 Jan 2026
Mr John Terrace
General SurgeonExplore videos from Mr Iain Nixon explaining process of procedures and other important things you should know before choosing your provider.

This video tells you a little about me and my practice.
24 March 2025

My new book has arrived. Together with Adam Donne from Liverpool, ...
01 November 2026
youtube.com

A medical research study involving cancer patients could be "transformative" in future treatments, experts say. The University of Edinburgh is using a pionee...
26 April 2024
youtube.com

This is a talk I was invited to give at the British Association of Thyroid Surgeons in Manchester in 2025. This outlines an approach to managing patients with big thyroid cancers which are quite rare.
26 September 2025
drive.google.com

Dr. Iain Nixon joins us to present a lecture entitled, "Extent of Thyroid Surgery in Low Risk Thyroid Cancers."0:00 Introduction3:32 Lecture Begins25:27 The ...
26 April 2024
youtube.com
Read articles from Mr Iain Nixon explaining process of procedures and other important things you should know before choosing your provider.

I was on the committee that developed these guildelines for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
22 December 2022
nice.org.uk

Susannah Morgan was warned surgery to remove a benign tumour could leave her with a crooked smile. Following surgery with Iain Nixon she has now made a full recovery without side effects
22 December 2024
bbc.co.uk

Patient reviews
31 March 2025
doctify.com
Find out more on the Doctify Health hub for Mr Iain Nixon's specialty, Ear Nose & Throat Surgery (ENT/Otolaryngology).
What are Mr Iain Nixon's reviews like?
Mr Iain Nixon's overall patient rating is 4.99 out of 5 stars on Doctify. This is based on 132 reviews.
What languages does Mr Iain Nixon speak?
Mr Iain Nixon speaks English
Where is Mr Iain Nixon located?
Mr Iain Nixon primarily practices at Spire Shawfair Park Hospital, located at 10 Easter Shawfair, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, EH22 1FE
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What are Mr Iain Nixon working hours?
Mr Iain Nixon is working Monday (08:00 - 20:00), Thursday (13:30 - 20:00), Friday (13:30 - 20:00)
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Does Mr Iain Nixon accept new patients?
Mr Iain Nixon generally accepts new patients.
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