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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Research funded to investigate early-onset bowel cancer progression
Bowel Cancer Australia recently announced a team led by Professor Michael Samuel as the successful applicant for a three-year $600k early-onset bowel cancer research project through the 2023 round of Cancer Australia’s Priority-driven Collaborative Cancer Research Scheme (PdCCRS).
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South Australia prioritises preventive health
On 28th November 2024, the SA Parliament passed legislation to make preventive health a key part of South Australian health system for the first time, through a new agency aptly named Preventive Health SA.
Preventive Health SA will lead evidence-informed and innovative action to prevent and reduce the burden of non-communicable health conditions and improve health equity across the South Australia population.
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Values in Workplace Culture
Professor Sabe Sabesan, is the Clinical Dean of the Townsville Regional Medical Training network incorporating the Townsville Hospital and Health Services and the Townsville Clinical School of the James Cook University and the director of the department of Medical oncology at the Townsville Cancer Centre, Townsville Hospital.
The Professor recently wrote, “Workforce wellness and engagement have become buzzwords in healthcare settings since there is an intimate relationship between staff wellbeing and performance of the healthcare system. Wellness initiatives such as wellness champions and wellness committees have been set up in response to emerging workforce mental health issues. These are largely reactive rather than being proactive in addressing or preventing the root cause of mental health issues.”
