Heart truck keeps pumping

A VITAL rural health service targeting higher- than- average heart problems in regional areas will keep ticking over following a $ 1 million grant.

The 25m long “Heart of Australia” truck, launched by Brisbane cardiologist Dr Rolf Gomes, offers cardiac diagnosis and treatment in regional Australia and has seen more than 3300 patients in 850 towns since 2014.

Dr Gomes said people living in rural communities were 44 per cent more likely to die of heart disease, but a $ 1 million grant from the Federal Government would allow them to expand their services and see more patients.

“We have saved more than 120 Queenslanders suffering previously undiagnosed critical cardiac conditions,” he said.

Queensland LNP senator Barry O’Sullivan said the truck could serve as a template for access to more types of medical services in rural and remote communities. “This bus is a game changer for the delivery of reliable and quality specialist health services,” he said.