AQW 17088/17-22

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 12/04/2021
Answered On Date: 20/08/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health for a update on the provision of earwax removal services in each Health and Social Care Trust.

Answer:

Earwax is predominantly managed via self-care, with GP-led interventions where required. However, when necessary, patients may be referred to Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) clinics for microsuction, which is generally a nurse-led service provided by each Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust. ENT consultants may also carry out the procedure in outpatient clinics.

During high surges in COVID-19 admissions, some ENT services such as nurse-led ear care clinics were unfortunately stood down, with the exception of urgent cases which ENT teams have continued to see. Trusts’ current service delivery plans for July and August 2021 underpin efforts to stabilise and rebuild all HSC services while continuing to respond to the pressures which the ongoing pandemic is placing on normal patient care.