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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Rapid trend shift in radiology technology and accessibility
Dr Mansoor Parker obtained his medical degree from the University of Tasmania. He then completed his specialist radiology training at Nepean Hospital, Sydney with subspecialty interests in Interventional Radiology and Pain Management, Musculoskeletal, Cardiac and Abdominal Imaging. Dr Parker is a qualified specialist since 2005 and is a member of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists and the exclusive Australasian Musculoskeletal Imaging Group (AMSIG) as well as the Interventional Radiology Society of Australasia (IRSA).
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) & data skilling clinicians
In this first release, world renowned AI and medical data science experts Dr Anthony Chang and Professor Enrico Coiera spoke to Australian Health Journal reporter Anne Dao at AIMed 2019 Sydney. The conference aimed at clinicians and non-clinicians discussed current clinical applications of Artificial Intelligence in medical imaging, decision support, use of predictive healthcare and machine learning.
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Strong primary care nursing solutions for a healthier Australia
The CEO of Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA), Ken Griffin spoke with Australian Health Journal about the following:
– APNA President Karen Booth representing Primary Care Nursing in the Australian Government led Strengthening Medicare Task Force
– The current key challenges in primary care nursing
– Programs on diversity and student placement proposed in APNA’s pre-budget submission to Federal Government
– A proposed initiative called Nurse-Supported Self-Care, with broadening role primary care nursing would play in the community
– Hopes for other health priorities addressed in the Federal BudgetIn the lead up to the Australian Federal Budget in May 2023, Australian Health Journal reached out to peak health industry bodies to hear about their priorities, either noted in pre-budget submissions lodged with Federal Government in January 2023 or in recent forums such as the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce.
