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Rosemary Rodgers MA(Ed) PGDip.Ed. MCGI RGN RSCN

In 1990, Rosemary founded, established and for 12 years directed The Primary Ear Care Centre in conjunction with Rotherham Health Authority (FPC) and for the first four years combined ear care with a practice nurse post. She is experienced in the management of resources to provide a preventive ear care service in the primary setting. This innovative service has been recognised both nationally and internationally and was developed to offer practical ear care, advice, education and research appropriately for both patients and medical/nursing staff.

This service is now available at Rosemary Rodgers Ear Care Services where Rosemary (presently completing a Doctor of Medical Science in Professional Health Care Practice degree) is in partnership with her husband Don. This private company is well placed to provide consultancy, education, advice and preventive private ear care clinics for all.

In total 17 of Rosemary’s papers have been published in various nursing journals during the period January 2003 – February 2009. The most recent paper (2009) is related to safe ear care practice and informed advice. Her current research is related to the population’s self care of ear problems and the prevention of ear wax accumulation. 2004-08 annual Eire HSE lecture tours have been completed also presentations at UK nursing conferences. Working with Deafness research UK in an advisory capacity is continuing. In 2010 Rosemary wrote and established a National Clinical Ear Care Diploma Course for Hearing Aid Audiologists and trained the first trainers and independent assessors.

Through successful participation in the UKCC Higher Level of Practice pilot study Rosemary was awarded Life Membership of the City& Guilds Institute. (MCGI) for Leadership in Nursing in September 2002. Rosemary completed a Master of Arts degree in Education for Health and Social Care Practice at the University of Sheffield, studying part-time whilst continuing the direction of primary ear care in 1998. She was a member of the team who researched and published (BJGP, 1997)) the benefits and cost consequences of a nurse-led ear care service in the primary setting. In 1996 Rosemary was awarded the 3M/Nursing Times National Nursing Award for her innovative nursing courses in preventive ear care.

Three years experience in a large hospital ENT department, working in all areas of surgery (including the out-patient department) enabled the identification of a national need – the improved understanding of ENT in the primary setting.

Prior to her specialising in ENT, Rosemary was employed for sixteen years in the paediatric environment which commenced with training at The Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street.