Health services in good health
Ally Harwood has grown her business, Midway Occupational Health Services (MOHS), and more than doubled the annual turnover in the 20 years she has been in business.
She was 15 years in the hospital system before she became an occupational health nurse and worked for a woman who had set up her non-funded, private business in the early 90s.
“She was very entrepreneurial at the time and I worked for her for four years as a registered occupational health nurse, working in companies and offering health monitoring for exposure to hazards.”
Ally then worked in a food factory in Feilding as the health and safety officer on a part-time basis while her children were at school.
In 1998 Ally purchased MOHS and stepped into the role of managing director with three nurses and an administrator who all worked part-time and knew the client base.
“This allowed me to grow as a business owner and manager while maintaining our services to the clients.”
Access training for staff is an important part of the company’s overall success.
Ally says every day is different and flexibility is required in the job, both as a support for the staff and as an occasional practitioner.
“The knowledge I have I can give back to my staff and the profession as a whole.”
MOHS now carries out pre-employment health assessments and “through” traffic in the clinic rooms has doubled.
“All our nurses, along with their bag of equipment to do the work on site, carry computers and electronic equipment (hearing testers, lung function machines) with access to an electronic patient management system which streamlines information and reports.
“Our challenge is maintaining and managing the changes in the technology required to do our work.
“I am fortunate enough to have a business that is also my passion. Health education and monitoring provides daily rewards, and we make a difference in someone’s day.”