A NEW professional ear care and wax removal service has opened in Melksham, offering support to anyone concerned about wax build-up in their ears or any other ear issues.
Melksham Ear Care and Nursing Services was launched at the beginning of this month by qualified practice nurses, Nicola Strachan and Jo Johnston, who have 40 years of nursing experience between them.
The pair, who will be familiar faces to the Melksham community having worked in GP surgeries in the town before, decided to launch their business after identifying a gap in local NHS services.
Speaking to Melksham News, Jo said, “Quite recently, a lot of GP surgeries have been unable to offer an ear irrigation service due to appointment pressure. This has left patients stuck, needing to find elsewhere to access the care that they need.
“Some patients can still get their wax removed for free by the ENT (ear, nose and throat) department at Bath Royal United Hospital – but there is a strict criteria, which usually includes patients such as those who are having hearing aid moulds fitted, or those who are unable to have the usual procedure because of previous ear surgery or complications. But anything else is not covered by the NHS.
“We feel that we offer a competitive rate compared to other services in the area – and being the only ear care service in Melksham, we are easy to access. And in comparison to some of the high street businesses that offer similar services – we have got years of experience of looking down people’s ear holes!”
Nicola and Jo’s new business, which they run alongside their own jobs at GP surgeries in the area, currently offers patients an ear irrigation service. “This is a gentle jet of water that goes inside the ear, flushing out any wax build-up,” explains Jo. “We hope to offer a microsuction service in the next two months, which uses a device that sucks out the excess earwax from inside the ear.
“Prior to any procedure, patients will have a ear assessment to check that they need ear irrigation. We will only irrigate or carry out any procedure if it is necessary. As a nurse I have seen what happens when irrigation is carried out unnecessarily. Patients can trust us as qualified nurses – our service is honest, safe, and trustworthy.
“Ear assessments cost £15 – but if a patient goes on to have a procedure this is taken off the final total.”
Melksham Ear Care and Nursing Services offers appointments on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at Melksham Hospital, Spa Road, dependant on room availability. Appointments are also available all day on Saturdays at Chippenham Community Hospital, Rowden Hill.
For more information about Melksham Ear Care and Nursing Services or to book an appointment, call 07566 882542, visit the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ melkshamearcareandnursingservices; or visit the website: www.
melkshamearcareandnursingservices.co.uk
