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Original poster

I have just been told that I cannot get ear syringing/ irrigation on the nhs due to Covid. Anyone else?

45 replies

stilldumdedumming · 07/09/2021 12:06

Hi has anyone else had this? I get my ears irrigated about yearly due to wax build up. I have just phoned my GP surgery and was told to contact another GP surgery.

They said I would have to go private (and pay they don't know how much) because it is not done on the NHS as it's too risky with COVID. I understand there are risks but we take precautions and a nurse does take some risks, surely.

I have tried home treatments but nothing shifts it. I have small ear canals apparently!

OP posts:
youdontnome · 07/09/2021 12:09

My dh had to pay privately. Not because of covid but because they just don't offer it on the nhs anymore, at least not at our surgery. I think he paid £40.

Student133 · 07/09/2021 12:11

Appears to be one of those NHS lottery moments, I phoned up and had in done within the morning.

DiamondBright · 07/09/2021 12:11

I'm surprised the NHS is offering ear cleaning at all now (except when clinically necessary) they should be advising self care.

NotPersephone · 07/09/2021 12:13

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

ollyollyoxenfree · 07/09/2021 12:14

@stilldumdedumming

Hi has anyone else had this? I get my ears irrigated about yearly due to wax build up. I have just phoned my GP surgery and was told to contact another GP surgery.

They said I would have to go private (and pay they don't know how much) because it is not done on the NHS as it's too risky with COVID. I understand there are risks but we take precautions and a nurse does take some risks, surely.

I have tried home treatments but nothing shifts it. I have small ear canals apparently!

I'm pretty sure it was removed as an NHS treatment long before COVID!
QueenHofScotland · 07/09/2021 12:15

This is interesting - clicked on the thread because DD (12) has awful ear wax. I was considering a trip to the GP to see if they would clean them.

Isn’t syringing also now seen as NOT being the best way to clean our ears?

JS87 · 07/09/2021 12:17

I pay £60 privately. Not been available in nhs here pre covid

LegendaryReady · 07/09/2021 12:19

NHS stopped doing it here long before Covid

Thiscantreallybehappening · 07/09/2021 12:19

I'm surprised the NHS is offering ear cleaning at all now (except when clinically necessary) they should be advising self care.

I have had to have ear syringering/irrigation done every 1 to 2 years. If you have very small ear canals, there is not much you can do to prevent the build up. I have tried everything and spoken to the doctor about it.

Thiscantreallybehappening · 07/09/2021 12:23

@stilldumdedumming

Specsavers offer an irrigation service but I think there can be a long waiting list. If you have a hearing centre near you they might also do the treatment and most private hospitals/GPs are still doing it.

I think the NHS did stop doing in a while ago, before Covid, but some GPs continued to offer the service. My GP's did continue to do it but since Covid they have now stopped doing it.

privateandnhsgp · 07/09/2021 12:23

Ear syringing hasn't been part of core / funded GP services since 2004, although of course many surgeries were offering it out of their own pockets.

It's been one of the highest sources of nurse litigation, and increasingly micro suction is preferred for clinical reasons. Ear syringing was also potentially aerosol generating which is obviously not good for Covid purposes. Therefore it has stopped in most places, and likely won't be coming back as we focus limited nurse time on core stuff like smears and chronic diseases which are both funded and clinically prioritised by the NHS.

In most areas the CCG will have commissioned a micro suction service, although waits can be long.

Otherwise there are plenty of private providers available for around £50ish.

PuppyMonkey · 07/09/2021 12:26

There was a big thread on this yesterday. Kicked off a bit and everything. www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4341707-Ear-syringing-on-the-NHS

Shelby1981 · 07/09/2021 12:30

I did mine myself with one of these https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000SOJXGA/ref=cmswwrcppapiglttfabcdllY17BFGF3ATTZN5RH3EG9?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 and warm water, easy!

Spidey66 · 07/09/2021 12:38

I started the thread yesterday.

It does seem it was stopped pre-covid, because of concerns that it wasnt safe and microsuction is now the recommended treatment but it's not fully rolled out on the NHS and/or there are waiting lists. I ended up getting it done privately yesterday. It's effective yes and fortunately I could afford it but I do think it's privatisation by stealth.

Unfortunately olive oil or otex seems to make it worse for me, otex either gives me an allergic reaction or an infection and olive oil seems to push the wax in and make it swell. I've always found syringing effective but acknowledge it's an old fashioned treatment that has it's own risks.

MarieMoss · 07/09/2021 12:39

@Shelby1981

I did mine myself with one of these https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000SOJXGA/ref=cmswwrcppapiglttfabcdllY17BFGF3ATTZN5RH3EG9?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 and warm water, easy!

I paid recently, but plan to do this next time!

Spidey66 · 07/09/2021 12:48

PS I paid £70 for both ears.

I had been putting olive oil in for a few days before but I'm not sure if it's totally necessary with microsuction like it is with syringing.

Mindymomo · 07/09/2021 12:48

My DH had an ear infection in May, doctor said his ear needed microsuction, as his ear was very clogged up, but wait on NHS was around 8 weeks. He got a private gp appointment that afternoon, which cost £45. He had it done again 2 weeks later and they didn’t charge him as they were running late.

Original poster
stilldumdedumming · 07/09/2021 12:51

Ah thank you. I had it done last year and the surgery told me it was a Covid thing. I use olive oil a few times a week and then inevitably it gets too much and I have it irrigated- which I thought was different to syringing - there certainly is no syringe involved.

I am on Universal Credit - a carer for my dp- and as for most people September is a bit tricky financially (plus UC has gone down again now- which I do understand). I will look at the other thread. Is there lots of self care advice. I might get some OTex but this has made it worse in the past. I'm also on the edge of burn out with different recent hospital admissions (dp and dd) and so I really just want to feel as well as possible. Was really looking forward to irrigation!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
stilldumdedumming · 07/09/2021 12:53

@Shelby1981

I did mine myself with one of these https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000SOJXGA/ref=cmswwrcppapiglttfabcdllY17BFGF3ATTZN5RH3EG9?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 and warm water, easy!
Bums! Disappointed already. I have tried this before and barely did anything.
OP posts:
the80sweregreat · 07/09/2021 12:59

I was told nearly two years ago that the nurse wouldn't do mine because they are concerned about damaging the ear drum even though the doctor suggested this !
She just said to use drops etc
Seems they don't like doing much , now covid is another way of not doing things and just blaming that instead.

Spidey66 · 07/09/2021 13:02

@stilldumdedumming
I do feel for those on low incomes or benefits in this kind of scenario. While I can afford the £70 (although will moan and groan about it) I know £70 is money you might need for new school shoes and coats for your kids (or whatever.) I also totally understand the pain and discomfort of impacted earwax, though not everyone understands it.

I understand the RNID has templates on it's website to encourage people to complain to their MPs about it.

geogteach · 07/09/2021 13:31

I think people who don't have this problem really don't understand - self care is not an option. I need mine done regularly but only on one side, so obviously the other ear is a suitable shape to sort itself out. My go offered this pre COVID but now doesn't , got micro suction (after a wait) at spec savers . When my son was younger and wore hearing aids he needed micro suction every 3 to 4 months luckily we didn't have to pay but I fear that may not be the case now. It is effectively a tax on being deaf. I do not think many people understand the isolation of being unable to hear.

Spidey66 · 07/09/2021 13:38

I did get upset yesterday, as some people appeared to be comparing it to asking services to put a sticking plaster on. Impacted ear wax is horrible. It's painful, causes hearing loss and tinnitus. Yes some people respond to OTC measures, not everyone does though. Continuing to try to treat it yourself when it's clearly ineffective has the potential to cause at best an infection and at worse damage to the eardrum.

ChittyChittyBoomBoom · 07/09/2021 14:28

I have mine done at the hospital. My appointments were understandably cancelled during the first lockdown and I didn’t get called again until July 2021.

ChittyChittyBoomBoom · 07/09/2021 14:30

Yes, I have very narrow ear canals so the tiniest build up of wax makes a huge difference. I had a hideous ear infection during lockdown when my micro suctioning at the hospital was cancelled. OTC treatment does not work in my situation.