The Minns Labor Government has renewed its commitment to protect workers from dust diseases by unveiling its new $2.5 million state-of-the -art Lung Health Mobile Clinic which will provide lung health checks to thousands of people across New South Wales.
The lung bus program provides free lung screening checks to more than 5,000 workers annually in regional NSW.
These lung health checks can be lifesaving by 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.
The new mobile clinic features several innovations including:
- Digital chest X-ray technology, providing precise and reliable first instance imaging.
- Enhanced spirometry (lung function) testing equipment to evaluate breathing capacity and respiratory performance.
- Digital monitoring systems to streamline diagnostics and care.
- A backup power supply to ensure uninterrupted operation in remote locations.
- Greater accessibility and comfort, with larger clinical space designed to support both staff and clients.
The brand-new Lung Bus continues the legacy of the state's original mobile service which served the community for nearly 16 years.
That Bus travelled more than 700,000km (more than 17 times around the world), screening more than 53,000 people, and visiting over 300 destinations across NSW.
This is the latest measure to protect workers from dust diseases, including those caused by silica and asbestos.
The Minns Labor Government led the campaign for the national ban on engineered stone which started last year.
The NSW Government is funding a team of dedicated silica safety inspectors to ensure businesses are complying with its strengthened laws.
Since September, our Silica Compliance Team has conducted 140 inspections, with more than 125 improvement notices issued and seven prohibition notices in workplaces.
The Minns Labor government has 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).
Workers can also arrange a free lung screening at icare's Sydney CBD clinic, or with local providers regionally when the lung bus is not in that part of the state. To book a free lung health check, contact icare on 1800 550 027.
More information on the full list of Lung Bus destinations can be found here:
For more information on lung health checks or to arrange a screening, visit:
https://www.icare.nsw.gov.au/employers/employer-obligations/lung-screening-service
Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:
"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.
"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."
Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:
"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.
"Our regional communities remain front and centre when it comes to ensuring early detection and treatment of dust diseases like asbestosis, silicosis, and mesothelioma."
Icare Group Executive of General Insurance and Care, Britt Coombe said:
"A lung health check could save your life.
"Early detection is critical to effective treatment, and we're here to make sure every worker, no matter where they live, has access to world-class care."
