Ear syringing is a success
A PHARMACIST in Hipperholme says he has treated hundreds of people for ear syringing since speaking out about the problem.
Shaiyan Wirasat, who runs Ramzy’s Pharmacy on Leeds Road, spoke of his concerns to the Courier in January that not enough people were being given treatment for blocked ears, which can lead to other, more serious health problems, as well as exacerbating issues like loneliness and isolation among older people.
“Since the article got published, we’ve been inundated with telephone calls, we’ve had hundreds of people call the branch and ask about the service,” he said.
“Many people have come to get their ears checked, which we don’t charge for.
“Where people have infections, we can treat that, or where need to refer, we can refer.
“A lot of people have had blocked ears and have urgently needed ear syringing, but they didn’t know where to go, so for them it was a bit of a lifeline.
“It’s made a massive difference to them.
“In one case, it was an elderly lady who lives on her own.
“She has a daughter who lives down south who calls her to check on her and she couldn’t hear her talking on the phone.
“When we tried to deliver her medication, she couldn’t hear the delivery driver ringing the bell or knocking on the door.
“She felt very isolated.
“It affects people’s quality of life and confidence because they can’t hear and the don’t want to interact with anybody else.
“We’ve had cases where people were so desperate but didn’t know where to go or what to do that they’ve rung the Ear, Nose and Throat department at Calderdale Royal, and they’ve said they don’t class that as an emergency.
“But we saw them and treated them.
“The GP surgeries in the area are referring people to us. They’re not willing to do it for various reasons and maybe for them it’s not a priority. It’s not just the elderly, it’s people a lot younger, people that have hearing aids, people of all backgrounds.
“I can safely say we’ve done hundreds of people.”
* Share your stories and photos: Email: newsdesk@ halifaxcourier.co.uk