With an initial national capacity for up to 16,320 community-based appointments annually, it is hoped the pathway will expand across further ICBs in a bid to reduce the total current ENT elective backlog, which is sitting at close to 600,000. 

Yinka Kuye, head of pharmacy for the medicines optimisation team at Frimley ICB, said: ‘Early results are promising, with regular GP referrals and just over 50% of patients being fully managed within community pharmacy, demonstrating both the value of the pathway and the expanding role of community pharmacy teams in delivering high-quality clinical services.'

The newly funded programme will see ear and hearing health services, including assessments, hearing screening and ear wax removal, delivered through community pharmacies. The aim is to reduce patient waiting times, with 42% of patients waiting six weeks or more for audiology tests as of August 2026. It will also alleviate the backlog of ENT audiology cases in secondary care and ensure there is capacity for ENT and audiology specialists to manage more complex patient referrals and procedures. 

The areas with Tympa devices involved in the pilot are: NHS Thames Valley ICB; NHS Surrey and Sussex ICB; NHS Central East ICB; NHS West and North London ICB; NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB; NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICB; NHS Dorset ICB; NHS Greater Manchester ICB; NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire ICB; and NHS Coventry and Warwickshire ICB.