** Microsuction Service at Mile Oak Medical Centre **

Distribution: All Clinicians | Brighton & Hove

From: Dr Simon Hincks, Clinical Lead

Please find the following details about how to refer to the Microsuction Service at Mile Oak Medical Centre.

The referral form can be found in the IAS referral templates and should be emailed to: [email protected]

Referral Criteria:

 Over 18 years only  Referrals from GP practices within Brighton & Hove will be accepted if they meet the referral criteria.  Referrals will also be accepted from BSUH audiology service if they have been unsuccessful in removing earwax.  Referrals can be made by GPs and Nurses.

 Adult patients with one or more of the following conditions can be referred: o Perforated ear drum o Grafted ear (myringoplasty and tympanoplasty) o Mastoid cavity o Inflamed, infected or painful ear o Failed irrigation (GP or practice nurse ear irrigation has failed to clear wax) o Precious ear (only good ear) o Sensitive ear (e.g. if prone to vertigo or tinnitus)  Patient will not give consent for irrigation (previous bad experience etc).  Patients with Otitis externa, Otagia or othorhea (need clinical review of suitability for this service).  For patients with Otitis externa, Otagia or orthorhea, where the patients’ needs cannot be met in the community service, an ENT referral for aural micro-suction maybe appropriate.  Referrals for patients who at their appointment would have been appropriate for ear irrigation should be rejected. The CCG will not fund this appointment under this LCSs

 Patients should be advised to use olive oil in the ear for at least 2 weeks before they come, otherwise treatment may not be successful.  Dr Godwin is happy for surgeries to refer acute Otitis externa if this helps and if you mark those referrals as urgent they will be prioritised to see if suitable for microsuction in the community or not.