More than 250 healthcare professionals across northern Queensland have strengthened their ear health skills through a series of nationally accredited training workshops supported by Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN).
The NQPHN Ear Health Training courses were delivered in Cairns, Townsville, and Mackay by Benchmarque Group, giving local clinicians hands-on training in procedures commonly performed in primary care.
Across the hugely popular training series, 250 clinicians attended workshops, with an average of around 11 participants per course, helping maintain small class sizes and strong engagement.
Participants included registered nurses, enrolled nurses, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners, and general practitioners from across the region.
Benchmarque Group Business Development and Partnerships Manager John von Dadelszen said the training played an important role in helping clinicians safely perform procedures that were widely used in primary care settings.
“We jumped at the opportunity to work with NQPHN to deliver these nationally recognised courses in northern Queensland,” Mr von Dadelszen said.
“Ear wax removal is a very common procedure in general practice, but it’s important that clinicians have the right training and competency to perform it safely.
“While irrigation remains widely used, microsuction has become increasingly popular because it allows clinicians to remove wax or foreign bodies without flushing the ear canal with water.”
Mr von Dadelszen said the workshops combined theory with practical, hands-on training, allowing participants to build confidence and competence in the procedures.
“For healthcare professionals, completing accredited training like this ensures they are appropriately educated and competent to perform these procedures – which ultimately supports both patient safety and practitioner protection,” he said.
Participant feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with clinicians highlighting the value of practical training and the opportunity to refresh their knowledge of ear anatomy and assessment.
One Mackay participant said the training filled an important knowledge gap.
“Thank you so much NQPHN for this amazing opportunity for all of us. Especially that we have been working for years doing ear irrigation without having proper knowledge and training,” they said.
“This is an absolute blessing to ensure we offer the right duty of care while protecting our registration.”
Another participant from Townsville said the course would directly improve their clinical practice.
“The education was extremely productive and will help improve my performance moving forward with my practice at work.”
The workshops also received praise for their supportive learning environment.
“Gordon (trainer) really knew his stuff and gave us plenty of chances to learn at our own speed,” one Mackay participant said.
“The course was super enjoyable and I felt really relaxed. Gordon delivered the right mix of theory and hands-on practice, which made it really enjoyable.”
The ear health workshops are part of NQPHN’s broader commitment to supporting primary care providers to build their skills and deliver the highest quality patient care across northern Queensland.
