British supermarket chain Asda has launched the “UK’s first” adult earache service, aiming to reduce the burden on NHS services by eliminating the need for a GP appointment.
Priced at £25, the service allows patients aged 18 and over to book same-day appointments with qualified Asda pharmacists at any of its 226 pharmacies in England.
According to the supermarket, this new service is designed to provide “a quick and accessible option for patients suffering with earache or those who have concerns with their ear health.”
“The new offering mirrors the popular under 18’s earache service launched last year and has so far provided 8500 patients with the ear care they required,” the retailer said.
Asda anticipates this expansion to further “alleviate the burden on the NHS for what is a quick and routine service but can sometimes take weeks to schedule an appointment with a GP.”
The supermarket explained that pharmacists will use an otoscope to examine inside the ear and determine whether they are suffering from Acute Otitis Media.
If present, patients will be provided with prescription drops to help manage their symptoms on the same day as their visit and at “no additional cost.”
“If a patient's symptoms are more serious and prescription drops are not appropriate, the pharmacist will triage the patient directly to the right place within the NHS and provide reassurance and advice,” it said.
Faisal Tuddy, head of pharmacy at Asda, highlighted that people often overlook their ear health.
“We’ve been listening to our patients, and we know that ear health is something many people don’t prioritise until an issue arises, but it’s vital to check your ears regularly,” he said.
“By introducing this service at such an affordable price, we aim to make ear health more accessible for everyone, and help our customers spot any problems before they become more serious,” he added.
To avail the ear checkup service, patients can either walk-in when they visit or book an appointment in-store or through the Asda pharmacy website, the chain said.
