To get my ear syringed out of 'ear syringing clinic times'

[Northumberlandlass]

My left ear has been blocked now for two weeks. I saw GP who passed me onto District Nurse. They said I needed to use olive oil for 2 weeks, then come back.

SO, I called this morning & asked if I could have an appointment for tomorrow (singing in a Christmas concert tomorrow night) to be told that the 'ear syringing clinic' is only on a Tues / Thurs from 2-4. I nicely told her that I couldn't do that as I work 25 miles from my GP's & that I work those days.

So, I called the GP's & explained, asked what could be done. They said the Practice Nurses aren't allowed to syringe ears now & that the GP's aren't trained too. She suggested that I call the District Nurses back & ask again.

Called District Nurse who offered me an appointment today at 3.15 ...I became parrot like and said I couldn't do today, but I was off tomorrow (DS Nativity) and begged them to squeeze me in or Friday.

NO NO NO ! ONLY IN EAR SYRINGING CLINIC TIMES ! I can't get there. So, I was told there was nothing they could do.

AIBU to expect them to help me ???

Luckily my doctors surgery do it whenever needed. Before now (over the holiday period) when ive not been able to get in ive been to the walk in centre in Boots and had it done there on a Saturday. Ive got extremely narrow ear canals and I couldnt wait until a certain day to get them done as by then i'd have extreme vertigo resulting in not even being able to walk let alone drive safely and less than 50% hearing. Its not as simple as being able to go to a clinic on a set day.

I didn't know Boots did ear syringing. Isn't that the solution, then? How many branches do it?

Just going back to QOFs, what does a surgery get points and prizes for? Eg, would you get them for diagnosing hypertension, or for every appointment where you take blood pressure, or for prescribing an anti-hypertensive?

Wow! Lots of comments. Just thought i'd update.
After more fruitless calls to the DN receptionist, I called a walk in centre in Newcastle, very helpful gent said that while they didn't do syringing, Byker did.

Have been, waited for 10 mins, saw a v lovely nurse who has syringed my ear. They said it is a bit red, so have given me some drops.

Bliss!

For what it's worth, I did talk to my manager today, I said I would work my lunch & he said I could leave at 3.30 (so i could make a 4pm appt) however the DN's in my home town said last appt was 3.45 NOT 4pm and were not flexible at all

Thanks for all the advice !

Glad you got it done Northumberlandlass.

Civilon - sort of all of those things; we have to keep registers of patients diagnosed with say asthma, or hypertension. If we review them annually we get a tick, if we achieve good blood pressure control we get a tick, if we have diagnosed them appropriately using reversibility or spirometry we get a tick, stuff like that.

I have mixed feelings about QOF. But that's a whole new thread!

I don't have any ear problems but after reading this thread I wish I did! The new nurse at my GP practice told me her favourite thing is syringing ears. I feel like I am missing out on a great opportunity. [shoves things in ear to start off a problem]

I've just ordered this, only £8 and good reviews.

www.amazon.co.uk/Acu-Life-Ear-Wax-Removal-Syringe/dp/B000SOJXGA/ref=lh_ni_t

According to my dad (who is a doctor but specialised in psychiatry a long time ago!) getting your ears syringed actually stimulates more wax production so you are more likely to need it done again.

I had a blocked ear for a few days last week, thankfully it shifted with olive oil, hated it.

At this point I must say I see your syringe and raise you suction.

I had this done here in Oz and it was excellent. The best bit was the ear which WASN'T deaf (shouting a bit now), which hadn't been softened prior to treatment and had to be hoiked out with the suction thingy.

The suction people crowded round to look and coo at the product: a pea-sized lump of gritty wax. Sporn-tastic.:o

This thread is so old!

I have syringed my own ears

I know it's not advised and all that but it is hell being unable to hear and the GP's surgery is useless! I have to put drops in for a couple of weeks before I can make an appointment for syringing and then it's another couple of weeks before they can fit me in! And no I can't make an appointment before I've spent 2 weeks putting oil in, even though we all know there won't be an available appointment for ages

I've had them syringed loads of times so I'm prepared to take the risk. I did out olive oil in for a week or so beforehand and the wax came it easily. It was extremely satisfying and I felt strangely proud of the big lump of wax that came out.....

Oh bollocks, I never check the date.....

Ear wax is my favourite thing, ear syringing clinic was my favourite day as a student nurse.
And there's nothing like debriding a nice sloughy wound.

If you don't like it change GP, they need to retain patients to remain open and each patient lost costs them at year end

Zombie thread

The Acu Life syringe is ace, I have one and it works a treat.