The clinic’s predecessors have covered over 700,000km so far – (almost) to the moon a back.
A new and improved mobile lung health clinic, informally known as the lung bus, is making its first road trip around New South Wales.
The New South Wales government insurance and care service, icare, launched the mobile clinic close to 16 years ago, to provide early detection and treatment of dust diseases in workers across the state.
These include silicosis, mesothelioma and asbestosis.
So far, the clinic’s predecessors have covered over 700,000km – just shy of the 770,000km needed to get to the moon and back – to screen over 53,000 people across 300 locations statewide.
The new mobile clinic will continue to provide more than 5000 people with lung health checks each year with its digital chest x-ray technology, enhanced spirometry testing equipment and digital monitoring systems.
Typical lung checks involve an x-ray, lung function testing, a consultation and analysis by a specialist and referral for a CT where required, all in less than 30 minutes.
The lung bus now also has a backup power supply, a larger clinical space and new and improved design to welcome workers.
New Lung Bus pictured at its launch
The bus’s interior mural was designed by Mumbulla Creative, an Indigenous creative agency.
Patients can contact icare directly or the Dust Diseases Care team to organise checks, either in the bus or at icare’s (stationary) clinic on Kent Street in Sydney CBD.
Anyone with occupational exposure to dust, such as through mining, construction or manufacturing, are urged to reach out.
icare group executive of general insurance and care Britt Coombe said that lung health checks could be lifesaving.
“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,” she said.
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Minister for industrial relations and work health and safety Sophie Cotsis said the lung bus was reflective of the NSW government’s commitment to removing barriers, like cost and location, to worker access to critical support and care.
“Along with enforcement of the recent ban on engineered stone, the new mobile clinic demonstrates our commitment to improve outcomes for workers exposed to hazardous dust across NSW.”
The mobile clinic’s efficacy is constantly reviewed by a clinical governance committee to ensure it adheres to national guidance and gold-standard practices.
