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In his briefing this month our Editor cogently explains the way in which healthcare's systems often harm patients.1 I must, however, disagree with part of his final sentence.
My experience, as a volunteer with RNID 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 which 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. recently provided a helpful review of the subject for GPs and their staff in the February 2023 edition of this journal. 3
GPs need to restart ear wax removal in our practices.
References
1. Lawson E. Sludge and Ordeals in Primary Care. Br J Gen Pract 2023; 73(730):195. doi: 10.3399/bjgp23X732549.
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2. RNID. Our ear wax removal campaign. https://rnid.org.uk/get-involved/campaign-with-us/ear-wax-removal-campaign.
3. Munro KJ, Giles TC, Smith-Howell C, Nazareth I. Ear wax management in primary care: what the busy GP nee...Competing Interests: I have moderately severe hearing loss and contribute to research and articles on hearing loss.