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What the ? NHS Again

T.C

T.C

Been there, and had one
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For the past few weeks the wife has been suffering from hearing loss and discomfort in one ear. We suspected that it was blocked and got some ear drops but it really has not made any difference.

So, 2 weeks ago she phoned the GP surgery explained the problem and asked if it would be possible to make an appointment.

Earliest they could see her was next week (2nd or 3rd of June or something like that) so 3 weeks before anything could be looked at and in the meantime she was to continue with the ear drops despite the fact that they were causing further discomfort and did not seem to be doing much.

Anyway, earlier today she gets a phone call to say that due to staff illness next week :confundio1: they could see her today.

So wifey gets into the car treks off the the surgery thinking that once diagnosed they would stick a syringe in her ear or whatever they do, get rid of the muck and hey ho hearing and pain free again.

Wrong. Blocked ear was confirmed but apparently the Doctors surgery is no longer able to clear or syringe blocked ears. That has to be done by the likes of Specsavers, Boots the chemist or a couple of other local optician who offer hearing tests.

Wife was flabbergasted that the surgery could not provide treatment for what I guess in medical terms is a simple procedure. But the biggest shock was yet to come.

The cost of syringing one ear? Between £75 and £95. Unbelievable.

Now, I might have missed something, but do you think it is reasonable to expect to pay for a medical treatment that can be done at the local surgery?

Apparently if you go to the local hospital and see the ear, nose and throat dept. they will also tell you to go to one of the private operators.

Am I being unreasonable in thinking that my wife should be treated on the NHS rather than having to pay for treatment?
 
Martin L Batley

Martin L Batley

Been there, and had one
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Sounds to me like someone is getting a back hander. If you have to pay then surely it's no longer NHS but private.
 
Duck n Dive

Duck n Dive

Rebel without a clue ...
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My dad is in his 90s and has hearing aids.
He recently had to go to specs savers, I believe it cost him £50.00.
Yep, told GP/NHS no longer clean/syringe ears.
Apparently they use some sort of vacuum machine - no squirting/syringe.
 
johnboy

johnboy

rather fond of a cream bun
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Try warm olive oil, but do not be tempted to dip bread in it.
 
Martin L Batley

Martin L Batley

Been there, and had one
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Don't care how they do it or what they use, still want it free on the NHS its what we pay tax for.
 
Minkey

Minkey

Ok it was me
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maybe it depends where you live, my brother had his ears done by his GP
 
J

jeffa

Been there, and had one
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A friggin disgrace. :mad: Apparently there is a urine shortage. reason is this government has been taking the piss for far too long
 
Malone

Malone

Been there, and had one
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I agree, GP no longer does ear cleaning, go to Specsavers. However my local Specsavers doesn’t do it, they can only suggest going to a private concern to get it done.

I had to do that several months ago, it’s no longer syringing out, it’s vacuuming out. Nice and quick and easy. Yes, it cost a few quid.

My sister, in the other hand, did go to her local GP who attempted to unblock her and couldn’t, so she went somewhere else, I’m not sure where. Now sorted.
 
Malone

Malone

Been there, and had one
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johnboy said:
Try warm olive oil, but do not be tempted to dip bread in it.
Click to expand...
Yes, it was also recommended to me by the lady who sorted me out to do a drop every month or two, just to keep things less solid.

Do not use extra virgin olive oil as it’s a bit too thick, use ordinary olive oil.
 
Stevebrooke

Stevebrooke

Knee up, wheel down
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I think ear syringing is now a postcode thing. My GP does it but when I needed it last year it was not offering the correct rice due to Covid. I went private for 70 quid.
 
Lee337

Lee337

Confused Poster
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NHS are getting worse. My local surgery, taken over by a health Care Group about 18 months ago now only give out 14 days of medication, not 28 as they used to. Both me and Mrs L are now in the surgery weekly as our meds are out of synch. It's all down to only holding 'just enough' medicines rather than too much. Ok for me as I don't pay for my prescription, but discussing this with a neighbour who does, she's changing surgeries next week.

They've also just announced that it's no longer possible to see a doctor. we'll be triaged by a nurse first, who will do the face to face if it's within her experience. If, the nurse can't deal with it, then it's a video chat with the Doctor. They've trialled it in one of their other surgeries and will be launching the same across all of their surgeries from Tuesday next week.
 
Squag1

Squag1

Can't remember....
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In that case you may as well have a doctor in Cork and go to Boots for the medication and treatment.

It's about making money.

Two of the docs in local GP don't see patients they do mini ops instead, more money in that.
 
andyBeaker

andyBeaker

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
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There is a balance to be found here. How many people visit a GP when they really don’t need to. How many people see a GP when a practice nurse could meet their needs? How many people see a GP in person when a video call would suffice?

Obviously there are times when seeing a GP is absolutely required.

The pandemic has of necessity changed interaction with medical professioanls in the same way it has changed numerous aspects that we were used to in ‘normal times. And as such has made a number of industries including the medical look at how they operate.

Personally I can see an opportunity for permanent change for the better, as long as the ability to see a GP face to face when it is needed is preserved
 
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