The lung bus has arrived in Wollongong to provide free lung screening checks. These lung health checks can be lifesaving by ensuring early detection and treatment of dust diseases like asbestosis, silicosis and mesothelioma.
The lung bus program provides free lung screening checks to more than 5,000 workers annually in regional NSW.
The icare Lung Bus is travelling 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 Lung Bus continues has served the community for nearly 16 years and travelled more than 700,000km (more than 17 times around the world), screening more than 53,000 people, visiting over 300 destinations across NSW.
This is one of many measures to protect workers from dust diseases, including those caused by silica and asbestos.
The Minns Labor Government has established a new Expert Taskforce to oversee and help address silica related health risks for workers in tunnelling projects and 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.
We have also 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 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.
The Lung Health Mobile Clinic will be in Wollongong on Monday 26 May to Friday 30 May.
The new Lung Bus will next travel to the following destinations:
Orange: 13 June, Dubbo: 3-4 July, Broken Hill: 21-23 July,
Wagga Wagga: 4-5 August, Griffith: 25-26 August, Newcastle: 29-30 September,
Tamworth: 27-28 October, Newcastle: 1-5 December, Gosford: 17-19 December
Whilst lung bus bookings are at capacity, 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.”
Member for Wollongong Paul Scully said:
“The Lung Bus is an initiative that plays a vital role in keeping workers safe and healthy.
“These health checks can be lifesaving by enabling the early detection and treatment of dust-related diseases.
“By bringing these essential services directly to the communities that need them most, the bus will help raise awareness and provide access to safe and effective detection."
