For the past few weeks the wife has been suffering from hearing loss and discomfort in one ear. We suspected that it was blocked and got some ear drops but it really has not made any difference.
So, 2 weeks ago she phoned the GP surgery explained the problem and asked if it would be possible to make an appointment.
Earliest they could see her was next week (2nd or 3rd of June or something like that) so 3 weeks before anything could be looked at and in the meantime she was to continue with the ear drops despite the fact that they were causing further discomfort and did not seem to be doing much.
Anyway, earlier today she gets a phone call to say that due to staff illness next week they could see her today.
So wifey gets into the car treks off the the surgery thinking that once diagnosed they would stick a syringe in her ear or whatever they do, get rid of the muck and hey ho hearing and pain free again.
Wrong. Blocked ear was confirmed but apparently the Doctors surgery is no longer able to clear or syringe blocked ears. That has to be done by the likes of Specsavers, Boots the chemist or a couple of other local optician who offer hearing tests.
Wife was flabbergasted that the surgery could not provide treatment for what I guess in medical terms is a simple procedure. But the biggest shock was yet to come.
The cost of syringing one ear? Between £75 and £95. Unbelievable.
Now, I might have missed something, but do you think it is reasonable to expect to pay for a medical treatment that can be done at the local surgery?
Apparently if you go to the local hospital and see the ear, nose and throat dept. they will also tell you to go to one of the private operators.
Am I being unreasonable in thinking that my wife should be treated on the NHS rather than having to pay for treatment?
So, 2 weeks ago she phoned the GP surgery explained the problem and asked if it would be possible to make an appointment.
Earliest they could see her was next week (2nd or 3rd of June or something like that) so 3 weeks before anything could be looked at and in the meantime she was to continue with the ear drops despite the fact that they were causing further discomfort and did not seem to be doing much.
Anyway, earlier today she gets a phone call to say that due to staff illness next week they could see her today.
So wifey gets into the car treks off the the surgery thinking that once diagnosed they would stick a syringe in her ear or whatever they do, get rid of the muck and hey ho hearing and pain free again.
Wrong. Blocked ear was confirmed but apparently the Doctors surgery is no longer able to clear or syringe blocked ears. That has to be done by the likes of Specsavers, Boots the chemist or a couple of other local optician who offer hearing tests.
Wife was flabbergasted that the surgery could not provide treatment for what I guess in medical terms is a simple procedure. But the biggest shock was yet to come.
The cost of syringing one ear? Between £75 and £95. Unbelievable.
Now, I might have missed something, but do you think it is reasonable to expect to pay for a medical treatment that can be done at the local surgery?
Apparently if you go to the local hospital and see the ear, nose and throat dept. they will also tell you to go to one of the private operators.
Am I being unreasonable in thinking that my wife should be treated on the NHS rather than having to pay for treatment?