Lung test for mine workers

A WORLD-first mobile health unit developed by the Palaszczuk government and Heart of Australia will provide increased accessibility to lung checks for current and former mine and quarry workers across Queensland.

HEART 5 is fitted with Xray and CT scanner equipment to assist in the screening and early detection of mine dust lung diseases, such as black lung and silicosis.

Heart of Australia founder, Dr Rolf Gomes, said he was thrilled to be working with the Queensland government and Resources Safety and Health Queensland, which contributed $2m towards the build and operation.

“The battery technology we have designed and built in Queensland to power the CT scanner means with HEART 5 we can do a CT parked on a mine site, and that is a world first,” Dr Gomes said.

Dr Gomes said providing rural patients with access to locally delivered medical imaging services would break down the tyranny of distance and would make an enormous difference in improving lives and supporting the work of local GPs.