At the 2024 Telstra Best of Business Awards in February, Earworx was recognised as the National Championing Health Award winner. Lisa Hellwege, the Clinical Director and Founder of Earworx, expressed her gratitude to the entire team and their patients for their trust and support. Earworx specialises in providing professional earwax removal services led by trained nurses using a procedure called microsuction.
Having identified a gap in the market for safe and gentle earwax removal services in her local community, Lisa started Earworx as a part-time venture alongside her role at the Royal Hobart Hospital. Over time, the business grew, and she transitioned to running it full-time, overcoming various challenges along the way, including the impact of COVID-19 and navigating the regulatory environment.
The recognition received at the Telstra Best of Business Award was a meaningful validation of Earworx’s efforts. It not only bolstered the business’s already strong reputation but also provided a boost to its branding, according to Hellwege.
Describing the rigorous application process, including extensive submissions and nerve-wracking presentations, Hellwege acknowledged that it provided invaluable insights into their own business.
Looking ahead, Earworx aims to raise awareness about the vital role of registered nurses in supporting the Australian healthcare system and addressing its challenges. The business plans to continue its mission of delivering high-quality, nurse-led earwax removal services while advocating for recognition and support from funding bodies.
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HIGHLIGHTS The power of social determinants of health, panel discussion
Clinicians and consumers know only too well that life circumstances such as poor housing, income and food insecurity can have a negative impact on health outcomes. Conversely, participation in community activities, social connection and access to nature parks and leisure facilities can help maintain health and wellbeing.
More recent phenomena in public health have also focused us on the health and social care connection. Stress factors such as the sudden loss of employment and social interaction, moving to remote work or schooling, and the impacts of sudden, localised COVID-19 ‘lockdowns’ to prevent further outbreaks were triggers of increased psychological distress.
And loneliness is being described as our latest epidemic with chronic loneliness inked to a myriad of health problems and earlier death. A recent report found one in four Australians say they feel persistently lonely, and that loneliness costs $2.7 bn a year in health costs alone.
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Orthopaedic surgeon driven to understand & manage infection
In tandem with his clinical practice, Associate Professor Tetsworth is deeply engaged in orthopaedic research, with a keen interest in infection management, infection control, limb salvage, bone defect reconstruction, biomarker development for infection, bone growth hormone delivery, and the use of 3D printed models for reconstructing segmental bone defects.
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The desire for primary care nurses to do more, be recognised and valued for the work they do
Denise Lyons is a highly experienced nurse with over 40 years in the profession, including more than 25 years dedicated to primary care. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in the United States in 1985 and, in 2012, became an endorsed Nurse Practitioner in Australia. Currently, she serves as a primary care Nurse Practitioner in General Practice in Newcastle, where she is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care that improves the health and wellbeing of her community.
