A new $2.5 million Lung Health Mobile Clinic has launched across New South Wales, providing vital lung health checks to thousands of people.
The lung bus program provides free lung screening checks to more than 5,000 workers annually in regional NSW, checking for dust diseases like asbestosis, silicosis and mesothelioma.
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Funded by the NSW government, the mobile clinic features digital chest x-ray technology, enhanced spirometry testing equipment, digital monitoring systems and a larger clinical space compared to its predecessor.
The brand-new Lung Bus continues the legacy of the state’s original mobile service which served the community for nearly 16 years and travelled more than 700,000km screening more than 53,000 people.
“The new Mobile Clinic underscores the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to removing barriers like cost and location, ensuring workers across NSW have access to the critical support and care they need to safeguard their health,” work health and safety minister Sophie Cotsis says.
“Along with enforcement of the recent ban on engineered stone, the new Lung Bus demonstrates our commitment to improve outcomes for workers exposed to hazardous dust across NSW.”
The mobile clinic is the latest measure by the state government to protect workers from dust diseases, including those caused by silica and asbestos.
The state government has formed a Silica Compliance Team, who ensure businesses are complying with its strengthened laws, which has conducted 140 inspections, with more than 125 improvement notices issued and seven prohibition notices in workplaces.
The state government has also pledged $5 million in critical funding for silicosis research and a patient support program for individuals and their families navigating the health risks associated with exposure to silica dust.
The grant funding, administered collaboratively by icare and the Dust Diseases Board, will be provided over three years to the Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute (ADDRI).
“I welcome the $2.5 million investment into the new icare Lung Bus which will provide thousands of health checks for people living in regional NSW,” regional nsw minister Tara Moriarty says.
“Our regional communities remain front and centre when it comes to ensuring early detection and treatment of dust diseases like asbestosis, silicosis, and mesothelioma.”
Commencing this month, the icare Lung Bus will travel the length and breadth of the state, including visits to Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Taree, Tuncurry, Spears Point, Tweed Heads, Gosford, Nowra, Shellharbour, Port Kembla, Bathurst, Dubbo, Broken Hill, Wagga Wagga, Griffith and Tamworth.
To book a free lung health check, contact icare on 1800 550 027.
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