Ridiculous!!

[Caran]

I rang Gloucester hospital to make an appointment for OH to have his ears syringed. He needs this doing regularly as he gets really deaf.
I was told they can't make any appointments as ENT is closed and they don't know if they will be opening before Christmas.
This is really ridiculous, what are patients meant to do in an emergency?

[jno]

A&E? Or are there walk in centres anywhere near?

[TonyV]

My GP now charges £10 for ear surgeries

[jno]

it's worth it if it keeps them from having to sleep on the street over Christmas, TonyV.

[Georgiesmum]

Oh my goodness, now I know the whole world has gone mad. Hope you get it sorted out soon. He needs to be able to hear at Christmas.!!!

[EDDIE51]

We can get things like ear syringing done at the local doctors surgery.There is a Nurse /Practitioner at the surgery who does such things. I thought most surgery's had similar arrangements, they call them 'treatment centers'. Or Ear syringing is easy to do yourself , you can buy ear / nose syringes at any pharmacy. Just use plain clean warm water.

[tonyav]

Would it be possible to get him booked in at the next nearest hospital, Caran.

[EDDIE51]

Yes , his GP should make arrangements for it to be done at the surgery by the 'Practice Nurse' . ALL surgery's have Practice Nurses.

[Buenchico]

Lydney & District Hospital has an ENT clinic. Is that the one you were seeking an appointment at or was it Gloucester Hospital itself? (The phone number for bookings is the same one for both hospitals).

[Caran]

It was the Gloucester hospital chris, he has been going there for years to have it done.

[Caran]

Just been corrected by OH. He doesn't have them syringed, he has a more complicated method of vacuuming which surgeries and minor hospitals do not have.

[Baldric]

They don't all have one who does ears. I made appointment for Mrs B. to have her earS done, when we got there we were told they will only do one ear on any given day, and unless it's been oiled for at least 4 days beforehand they won't even do that, nice of them to tell us beforehand.

[Buenchico]

This thread suggests that the procedure is no longer recognised as effective within the NHS:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=5523845

If all else fails, SpecSavers in Gloucester can remove ear wax by microsuction (which is the favoured technique these days, it seems) but it costs £35 per ear. (The SpecSavers stores in Ross-on-Wye & Monmouth don't offer the service. Gloucester is your nearest).

[derek-33]

syringing ears was stopped years ago at my doctors and hospital its suction removal now,and its less complicated, no mess

[Cloverjo]

My local surgery no longer does ear syringing. But I wouldn't go into an A&E or walk-in centre to have mine done.

Sorry if I'm being rude, but how does anyone have an emergency with ear wax?

[SparklyKid]

I had my left ear cleared years ago in a walk in centre. Vacuumed a chunk of hard wax out the size of a pea.

[Cloverjo]

Only one ear, Baldric? That really is ridiculous.

[Caran]

Last time he had it done he was told his ear canal was so narrow it was the width of a needle. When it fills up with wax he is totally deaf, his hearing aids have no effect at all. It is difficult for him and so frustrating for me. The art of spontaneous conversation is dead. I have to repeat everything umpteen times, usually shouting quite loud.