Dear Editor,

Last week I rang my surgery, as I do every two years or so, to book an appointment to remove wax from my ears, a minor problem for many, usually old. To my astonishment I was informed that they no longer carried out this procedure.

I received an A4 sheet put together by Herefordshire Clinical Group, whoever they are; explaining how to carry out the treatment yourself. One doesn’t need a vivid imagination to know how old people would react after reading it. Throw it in the bin, or the vulnerable worry themselves sick.

My next move was to google it. I discovered it was a national directive and I would have to go private, either to Monmouth or Hereford I believe. Why not in Ross? I don’t drive like many elderly folk, a major problem in itself.

There was little or no directive in the press which led to the reason why, clearly funding to my mind. Privatisation bit by bit, stealth or through the back door until we are told the National Health is no longer a viable unit, God forbid. I would be interested to know the views of our Councillors and, even more so, our MP.

Ken Downham

Linton