Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of levels of NHS provision of ear (a) irrigation and (b) micro-suction.

No formal assessment has been made as information on the provision of these services is not held centrally. General practitioner (GP) practices are increasingly recommending self-care methods as the primary means to support the safe removal of ear wax. However, if a GP practice considers removal via irrigation or micro-suction clinically necessary, the procedure should either be undertaken at the practice, or the patient should be referred to an appropriate local NHS service.

Decisions on the funding and provision of health services, including ear wax removal, are the responsibility of local clinical commissioning groups. Commissioners plan services to meet the needs of local communities, including continuing to ensure there is appropriate access to ear wax removal services.