In his briefing this month our Editor cogently explains the way in which healthcare systems often harm patients.1 I must, however, disagree with part of his final sentence.
My experience, as an RNID volunteer who meets people seeking help with issues around hearing loss, is that GPs do not seem to recoil from deliberately imposing ordeals on our patients. If they did, they would not be withdrawing ear wax services and making them only available to those who can afford to pay for treatment — indeed, a ‘Tax on Wax’.
This issue is one that is harming patients, promoting the Inverse Care Law, and resulting in negative publicity for our specialty. Even RNID is weighing in on this indefensible change.2
Munro et al provided a helpful review of the subject for GPs and their staff in the BJGP February 2023 Issue.3
GPs need to restart ear wax removal in our practices.
Competing interests
Ted Leverton has moderately severe hearing loss and contributes to research and articles on hearing loss.
REFERENCES
- 1.Lawson E. Sludge and ordeals in primary care. Br J Gen Pract. 2023. DOI: . [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed]
- 2.RNID Our ear wax removal campaign. https://rnid.org.uk/get-involved/campaign-with-us/ear-wax-removal-campaign (accessed 12 Jun 2023).
- 3.Munro KJ, Giles TC, Smith-Howell C, Nazareth I. Ear wax management in primary care: what the busy GP needs to know. Br J Gen Pract. 2023. DOI: . [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed]