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Written question asked by Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Labour) on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 2 February 2026 (named day). It was answered by Stephen Kinnock (Labour) on Monday, 2 February 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Earwax: Medical Treatments

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to (a) reinstate and (b) standardise NHS provision of ear wax removal in primary care.

Answer

Integrated care boards (ICBs) have a statutory responsibility to commission cost-effective healthcare to meet the needs of their local population. This includes commissioning ear wax removal services in line with the recommendations for ear wax removal as set out in guidance produced by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng98/chapter/Recommendations

This may involve commissioning general practices (GPs) or other providers, to whom GPs may refer patients, to provide ear wax removal services.

Manual ear syringing is no longer advised by NICE due to the risks associated with it, such as trauma to their ear drum or infection, so GPs will often recommend home treatment remedies to alleviate ear wax build-up.

However, in line with the NICE’s guidance, a person may require ear wax removal treatment if the build-up of earwax is linked with hearing loss. A GP may then refer the patient into audiology services, which ICBs are responsible for commissioning.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
109232
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Medical treatments Primary care Earwax
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk