Who to go to first for help in private sector?

[MarkinCumbria]

I have had a blocked ear and tinnitus since an ear infection in the summer which did not respond either to antibiotics or otomise spray. I am on a waiting list to see an NHS ENT specialist since I have only ever seen a nurse practitioner who told me she was unable to see anything as my ear canal is narrow. I have been told that it may take SIX MONTHS to get an appointment. I can live with the tinnitus, but I urgently need to get my ear looked at as I have to take a long haul flight soon and am fearful of doing so before I get someone to look at my ear drum. After reading posts on here it seems I will need to get the ear unblocked BEFORE a consultant can check whether my ear drum is damaged. Can anyone advise on the best next step? I live in Cumbria where there are apparently no private options so will have to travel overnight to Newcastle and want to make sure that I get the most out of what will be an expensive consultation/trip. Don't want to get there and then be told I have to have a cleaning procedure separately! Is microsuction the only option? I bought pure olive oil drops from the chemist but didn't use them as the box states that tinnitus sufferers should not proceed. Thanks.

[Happyrosie]

I’m amazed that it says T sufferers should not use olive oil! ENT consultant told me to use this and I have T. An alternative is bicarbonate soda drops from pharmacy. Anyway if you are to have private consultation they surely would tell you in advance whether this is necessary. Certainly an audiologist testing your ears for hearing aids must have clear ears.

[MarkinCumbria in reply to Happyrosie]

thanks for your response, yes, after reading some more posts on here today, I am tempted to try this remedy despite the disclaimer on the box. I have tried to get more advice before the appointment but am advised to pay an extra £90 to consult with a GP online first, so as that is almost as expensive as the actual consultation I thought it was not really a solution 😀

[MarkinCumbria in reply to MarkinCumbria]

The product I bought is called OTEX and the box says do not use it it if you have a history of ear problems or if you have anything else wrong with your ear [such as [long list] ending with tinnitus].

[rabbits65 in reply to MarkinCumbria]

Forget Otex, all you need is plain olive oil drops .

[Happyrosie in reply to MarkinCumbria]

😱

[Suz_2]

I did quick search online and I see there is a BMI private hospital in Lancaster - some private hearing clinics can be good as well

[MarkinCumbria in reply to Suz_2]

Thanks! I keep doing internet searches for what is closest, and only Newcastle was coming up, but Lancaster would definitely be a good option. Cheers.

[Suz_2]

hi - I found Bupa in Whitehaven - worth looking into finder.bupa.co.uk/Consultan...

[MarkinCumbria in reply to Suz_2]

Thanks for that! I actually had asked the receptionist at the ENT clinic at the hospital you mention but she told me that she could not inform me whether anyone there also did private consultations. So I shall try to get access via BUPA, cheers.

[Suz_2 in reply to MarkinCumbria]

yes - I really dont know what the situation is in Cumbria- but i found this link with a quick online search - I went to BMI private hospital in Abdn and the ENT consultant cleared my ear wax build up with microsuction ( on a low noise level) then referred me for MRI ( which was normal) then I saw the Audiologist. I went private as the NHS route would have meant a long wait and I had severe tinnitus - the costs involved were really not as high as mentioned in one of these posts . The GP will refer you to private provider if u request this

[Suz_2 in reply to MarkinCumbria]

I found the BMI excellent ( not as expensive as mentioned in one of these posts) - although the cost of hearing aid would be very high - so i am back on NHS waiting list for that as the BMI Audiologist referred me back to NHS for that - the BMI in Abdn had treatment room facilities for microsuction ( at a low noise level)

[MarkinCumbria in reply to Suz_2]

I have just been told that I could get an appointment at a Bayfields to see an audiologist, for a microsuction that would cost around £70 if I go ahead with the procedure, not sure if that is as good as the BMI, but at least it's one option... I might do a check on here to see if anyone else has used Bayfields... Thanks for your help.

[Suz_2 in reply to MarkinCumbria]

yeh - some of these private hearing test clinics can do the microsuction with very well qualified people - I found going private gave me the answers quickly (MRI, hearing test etc) then back to NHS for hearing aid -the BMI microsuction was £75 ish/ MRI scan was £400 but was arranged quickly - if u have severe distressing tinnitus I think u can be seen quicker in private medical care

[Suz_2 in reply to MarkinCumbria]

how about Better Hearing Clinic - ear wax removal and tinnitus managmement , hearing tests & aids etc

[MarkinCumbria in reply to Suz_2]

Yes, there is one not too far in Cockermouth, may also give them a ring. Cheers!

[TurboTrace]

Hi Mark. I used to work for a private medical insurance company. If it's still the same process, you need a referral from your GP to see a consultant privately. Hopefully this can be done without too much fuss; hopefully they'll be happy to help- it gets you off the NHS waiting list. There are private hospitals in Cumbria and as you are aware, you need to see an ENT specialist. Initial consultations can be anything up to £200 plus additional costs for any tests. Blood tests, xrays and audiology tests shouldn't be too expensive. However, MRI & CT scans can cost £800 upwards but it does depend on what the consultant needs for diagnostic purposes.There is Spire Fylde Coast Hospital, The Cumbrian Clinic and the BMI Lancaster Hospital. If you go to the BMI site, they give a list of specialists and other useful information. If you need any further help, please let me know. Good luck x

[MarkinCumbria in reply to TurboTrace]

Thanks for this information, I had found a private hospital in Newcastle which I thought was the closest, but the 'Cumbrian Clinic' sounds a better option, I shall check it out.

[MarkinCumbria in reply to TurboTrace]

Surprised to see that the private clinic is actually at the West Cumberland hospital where I have been on the waiting list since July! I had asked the NHS receptionist at the ENT dept there whether they have a private option and she had no idea... strange, you'd think they would make the number available for people who don't want to jump the NHS queue but have an urgent reason to be seen...

[TurboTrace in reply to MarkinCumbria]

Yes some NHS hospitals have private wards; our one in Eastbourne does. It's a great option to help hospital funding and they have emergency care on site should it be needed. There's a lot of protectionism around the NHS so it's no wonder the receptionist either didn't know (which I find hard to believe) or just wasn't willing to suggest the private route.

[MarkinCumbria in reply to TurboTrace]

Yes, extraordinary.... I suppose I have been lucky in that I have rarely needed to seek medical advice, so much so that my GP in London once took me off the books assuming I had moved away, as I had not been in touch for years... and now I finally need some help in the year I moved to a new area, with a new GP, facing what I presume is the post COVID backlog and no clue as to how to access private care. Thank goodness for this site and the helpful advice received. Many many thanks.

[Sazzyrich]

I would have thought getting your ear unblocked is the first step using microsuction, then an ENT can see what's going on. I have tinnitus and pulsatile tinnitus and had one of my ears micro suctioned privately a few months ago. £45. The chap who did it used to be an ENT nurse for the NHS and told me off for using olive oil /earol because he said when your ear is blocked the oil just runs behind the blockage and sits there and then causes hearing problems, which it did for me as my hearing became muffled as if I constantly had water in it. This went when he microsuctioned. This is just my experience and hope it might help in some way.

[Sazzyrich in reply to Sazzyrich]

Ps. I didn't need a referral for my private microsuction. Just phoned the private clinic directly.

[MarkinCumbria in reply to Sazzyrich]

Thanks, yes, this was the conclusion I reached, after much perusal of messages on this site. Question now is to find someone who can do this quickly. Tried a couple of clinics but they have no vacancies until the new year! Even when you pay, it seems there is a wait....

[Cavalier1]

I can personally recommend Nuffield Newcastle Mr Johnstone ....found him excellent. Or Mr Yates. They offer weekends and evenings also if that helps. Worth the trip from Cumbria for sound adviceGood luck

[MarkinCumbria in reply to Cavalier1]

Thanks, yes, I have been in touch with Nuffield Newcastle and that seemed like a good option and speedy appointment. My main concern was that as the ear is blocked, they won't be able to see the ear drum, and I wonder whether you can let me know whether on your visit, they were both able to clear the ear and give you advice on your condition. If in one consultation I could get the ear cleared and be advised as to state of ear drum and advisability of air travel that would definitely be worth the trip and overnight stay.

[Cavalier1 in reply to MarkinCumbria]

I had a phone call first with the consultant who took a history and advised from there. However from experience with the NHS previously and blocked ears I’ve never been asked to clear my ear first before seeing anybody. It’s usually part of your examination that they look in your ear themselves when diagnosing. Perhaps when you explain to the Nuffield they will advise you ? I have no problem with NHS it was just a way of getting information quickly as they are so busy. It may be your middle ear that’s blocked? I’d get advice from the consultant first and take it from there. There are many good hospitals and consultants to choose from it’s up to you and the receptionists advise who specialises in your condition

[MarkinCumbria in reply to Cavalier1]

Thanks, I have already been told - by a nurse practitioner - that the blocked ear needs to be dealt with, but it would certainly be reassuring to have a consultant with better equipment advising me. Cheers.

[purenostalgia]

There is a good reason for warnings on products, I would not take any unnecessary risks.

[doglover1973]

Hi Mark. I know the waiting lists are very long. I was referred in January and still haven't heard anything . There's nothing wrong with going privately but - if I were you - I'd wait for the NHS . Simply because T is a long term problem so you may need long term help and if you do the costs could mount up over time. It's not just ENT. You may need scans, audiology, hearing aids etc. Just a thought .

[MarkinCumbria in reply to doglover1973]

Yes, I do intend to seek NHS care long term if needed. My only reason for going private right now is that a dream short term contract job offer has come up but it is a 12 hour flight away, I really need urgent advice as to whether I am ok to travel. Had an excruciating experience once on a flight to the Canaries, when I unwisely travelled with blocked sinuses, and although that was several years ago, since I now have what seems like a long term issue, I don't want to risk damaging my ear drum but I really want to take up the job! Dilemmas.... Cheers.

[doglover1973 in reply to MarkinCumbria]

Oh I see. All the best with the right medical care and with the new job!

[MarkinCumbria in reply to doglover1973]

Thanks!