People needing their ear wax removed will soon no longer be able to do so at their GP surgery.

Following a review of the services offered through GPs, the treatment is one of three things currently available that will cease at the end of the month.

The service is offered to patients dealing with issues such as hearing loss, vertigo and tinnitus, but is due to be stopped in efforts to "streamline services".

As part of the same review, GPs surgeries will also stop offering blood tests to identify deep vein thrombosis called d-dimers, which are available through the region's three main hospitals.

And it will also see the end of 24-hour electrocardiogram tests, which are currently only provided in north Norfolk. These will also continue to be available through the three hospitals.

A spokesman for the Norfolk and Waveney Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "The review has helped to streamline services to make them operate more effectively, as well as ensuring services are equitably available to people, regardless of where they live in Norfolk and Waveney.

“In most cases, there is no clinical reason to remove ear wax and people should be able to self-care should they suffer from a build-up of ear wax through the use of ear drops which can be bought in a pharmacy or supermarket, with pharmacists offering help and advice.

“For patients who can’t self-care and where self-care has not worked and the patient remains symptomatic (e.g. hearing loss, earache, tinnitus, vertigo, cough suspected to be due to earwax) or where the patient has a hearing aid or needs one fitted, the CCG commissions aural micro-suction services in the community which the patient can be referred, via the GP, for treatment.”

The changes come into effect from April 2022.