News Summary

The Minns Labor Government launches a $2.5 million Lung Health Mobile Clinic to provide free lung checks for workers at risk of dust diseases in NSW.

The Minns Labor Government Unveils Lung Health Mobile Clinic to Combat Dust Diseases

In a groundbreaking initiative, the Minns Labor Government has committed a hefty sum of $2.5 million to roll out a state-of-the-art Lung Health Mobile Clinic. This timely program aims to provide essential lung health checks to thousands of workers across New South Wales (NSW), particularly targeting those in regional areas who may be at higher risk of developing dust-related diseases, including asbestosis, silicosis, and mesothelioma.

Free Lung Checks for Over 5,000 Workers Annually

The lung bus program, designed to offer free lung screening checks, is expected to serve more than 5,000 workers each year. Early detection of life-threatening conditions through these screenings can be a game-changer for those exposed to hazardous dust. The icare Lung Bus is set to hit the roads this month, with plans to visit various locations throughout the state.

Locations outlined for the Lung Bus include:

• Newcastle
• Port Macquarie
• Coffs Harbour
• Taree
• Tuncurry
• Spears Point
• Tweed Heads
• Gosford
• Nowra
• Shellharbour
• Port Kembla
• Bathurst
• Dubbo
• Broken Hill
• Wagga Wagga
• Griffith
• Tamworth

A Legacy of Mobile Health Services

This newly introduced Lung Bus builds on the success of the original mobile service, which operated for nearly 16 years, traveling over 700,000 kilometers and screening more than 53,000 individuals at over 300 locations across NSW. This initiative reinforces the government’s commitment to safeguard workers from dust diseases, especially those linked to hazardous substances like asbestos and silica.

Robust Measures Against Silicosis and Asbestos

The Minns Labor Government has been proactive in the fight against dust diseases. The government is advocating for a national ban on engineered stone and has funded a dedicated team of silica safety inspectors tasked with enforcing new regulations. Since September, the Silica Compliance Team has performed around 140 inspections, issued over 125 improvement notices, and seven prohibition notices in workplaces, highlighting the government’s dedication to tackling this critical health issue.

Furthermore, an additional $5 million has been allocated for silicosis research and patient support related to silica dust exposure. This funding, administered over three years, will support the Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute (ADDRI) through icare and the Dust Diseases Board.

How Workers Can Access Lung Health Checks

Workers interested in arranging free lung screenings can do so at icare’s Sydney CBD clinic or through local regional providers when the Lung Bus is not in their area. To book a lung health check, interested individuals can contact icare at 1800 550 027. For more details about the Lung Bus and its destinations, the icare website serves as a comprehensive resource.

The Importance of Lung Health Monitoring