AQW 24419/22-27

Mr Andrew McMurray
Alliance Party
South Down

Tabled Date: 13/03/2025
Answered On Date: 04/04/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail any action his Department is taking to ensure that people who cannot safely self-manage the removal of ear wax have adequate access to professional support in the NHS.

Answer:

Following a number of questions recently on this subject, officials have contacted Trusts and Primary Care highlighting the need to provide HSC public advice on ear wax removal. In the first instance, however, patients should always contact their GP, Pharmacist or healthcare professional to seek advice on self-management of ear wax removal. Patients can then be referred to either primary care or secondary care clinics to have ear wax removed.

Unfortunately, as with many services in the HSC, demand in primary and secondary care exceeds capacity resulting in lengthening waiting times for treatment. My Department continues to optimise all available resources whilst seeking additional funding to improve waiting times.