Sevenoaks Microsuction
Darren Tilley
I am an experienced NHS microsuction practitioner, offering a private visiting service for adult patients in Sevenoaks and surrounding areas. I will take the time you need to make you feel comfortable, and provide a safe, effective and flexible service.Please get in touch however you prefer. There is no obligation to book online, a telephone call works just as well.
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About Me
I am a GMC-registered Physician Associate with experience in General Practice, Frailty, Acute Medicine, A&E and ENT. I also hold a PGDip in Clinical Psychiatry and in August 2026, I commence a 12-month NHS Fellowship in Clinical Artificial Intelligence.During my weekly care home rounds I realised there is a need for a visiting microsuction service, to help those patients who are not able to easily attend their local NHS clinic.I therefore approached the local NHS community ENT service to ask if I could train in microsuction, which I completed under senior ENT consultants and specialist GPs over several months. I still run a weekly NHS clinic, performing microsuction to remove earwax, foreign bodies and managing common ear problems, such as acute and chronic infections.To date, I have performed well over 3,000 microsuction procedures on patients ranging from 12 months to over 100 years old. I particularly enjoy helping patients who need extra time and support to feel comfortable and tolerate the procedure.
About microsuction
Microsuction is the gold-standard method of removing earwax and other debris from ear canals. I use a surgical microscope or head-mounted loupes to visualise the ear canals, and a medical suction pump with specialist attachments to gently suction out the debris.When undertaken by a properly trained and experienced practitioner, it is safe, effective and suitable for almost everyone. When we meet, I will take the time to explore your medical history, discuss any historic or current ear problems, and explain the procedure before we begin.
Mobile Microsuction - limitations
During mobile microsuction, I use head mounted loupes, specifically the Vorotek O-Scope and Opticlar SLH Prismatic loupes, to visualise the ear canals and drums. These are perfectly adequate for routine earwax removal, though for more complicated cases involving very narrow and/or deep ear canals, mastoid cavities, chronic infections, or wax/keratin that requires microsuction close to the eardrum, microsuction should ideally be undertaken in a clinic setting with a surgical microscope.
Risks
Microsuction is considered to be a very safe and well-tolerated procedure, however, as with any medical procedure there are risks to be aware of.ENT UK has produced an excellent patient information leaflet (PIL), which explains these risks, and what you can expect during the procedure. This can be accessed via the following link:
PRICES
Microsuction (Bilateral):
£80.00
This is an all-inclusive cost for examination and microsuction of both ears, including travel within a 15 minute drive from Sevenoaks town centre. If only one ear requires clearance, the cost reduces to £70.00. If little or no wax is found, the cost reduces to £60.00.Urgent Microsuction:
If you need help quickly or outside normal hours, I can probably help. Please telephone me on 07968 726580. There is an additional £25.00 charge for evening and weekend visits.Additional Time:
If additional time is needed for travel and/or complete the procedure, this will be charged at £15.00 per 15 minutes. Additional travel time will be advised at the time of booking.Care Homes:
For care homes or similar facilities with multiple patients needing microsuction, the price reduces to £60.00 per patient.Payment:
Can be made by debit/credit card post-procedure.Additional time
I am almost always able to complete the procedure within the allocated timeframe. Very occasionally, wax can be adherent and/or impacted, and despite my best efforts, it may not be possible to complete the procedure, in which case either additional time or a return visit may be necessary.
Contact
Please don't hesitate to contact by telephone, WhatsApp or email, I am always happy to discuss how best I can help you.My phone is always nearby and I generally respond to messages and voicemails within two hours.Telephone/WhatsApp:
07968 726580Email:
[email protected]
FAQs
Q: Are you DBS checked?
A: Yes. This is a requirement of my NHS employment and private practice, and I can provide my certificate on request.Q: Are you CQC registered?
A: No. The rules governing microsuction practitioners are nuanced and widely considered to be unfit for purpose. Currently, I am not required to be CQC registered, and because registration takes around six months and costs many thousands of pounds, I have decided to delay applying for registration voluntarily until there is updated and settled guidance. Please do choose a CQC registered practitioner if you prefer.Q: Are you insured?
A: Yes. I am insured for medical malpractice, professional indemnity & public/products liability to a limit of £5 million.Q: Do I need to prepare my ears for microsuction?
A: The general answer is yes, a few days of olive oil or sodium bicarbonate drops (from your pharmacy) will soften and loosen wax, making it easier and more comfortable to remove. The exceptions are if you have an active ear infection or a known/suspected perforation of the eardrum, in which case please do not apply any drops. It is also important not to over-prepare, this can liquify the wax and make it difficult to remove.Q: How long does microsuction take?
A: Once the equipment is set-up and the patient positioned, it usually takes around 15 minutes. It can take longer if the patient has not prepared adequately, the wax is very impacted, the ear canals are particularly narrow or deep microsuction near the eardrum is needed. The hour timeframe includes travel, set-up, examination, the procedure itself, break-down, documentation and after-care advice.Q: Are there any reasons why you might not be able to complete the procedure on the day
A: Very rarely, but yes, this is possible. Reasons might include inadequate preparation of unusually tortuous or narrow ear canals, encountering unusual pathology, or perhaps because the patient is unwilling or unable to tolerate the procedure. I am an experienced and patient clinician, and will always do my best to complete the procedure within the scheduled appointment. If the appointment cannot be completed for reasons beyond my influence or control, the consultation fee only of £50.00 will be payable if neither ear is cleared, and £75.00 if one ear is cleared. If I am unable to complete the procedure for reasons within my influence or control e.g. equipment failure, no charge will be made.Q: I have been told I have very narrow ear canals, can you still help?
A: Yes. As microsuction practitioners gain experience, narrow canals pose less of a problem. There are techniques and special apparatus we can use to gently open the ear canal while we suction. There are very few patients with ear canals that are problematically narrow. Good preparation and patience is usually enough, but it may be that microsuction under microscopy in a clinic setting is needed. If you have been told you have narrow ear canals please let me know at the time of booking and I can advise further.Q: Are there any age restrictions for microsuction?
A: Yes, private patients must be aged 18 years or over. This is a CQC stipulation and not a competency based restriction, I treat children of all ages in my NHS clinics.