THE NSW Government has unveiled its new icare Lung Health Mobile Clinic (the Lung Bus), aiming to reduce the prevalence of diseases caused by dust in workers.
The clinic-on-wheels has a $2.5 million price-tag, replacing the previous mobile service which screened more than 53,000 people in the 15 years it was running.
Icare, an insurance and care services provider in NSW, facilitates the bus; making it available for workers who have previously worked in a dusty environment, or are retired and think they may have been exposed to hazardous dust during employment in NSW.
Workers currently working in these conditions are not applicable for the free icare Lung Bus Screening.
Broken Hill, alongside various other NSW towns such as Tamworth, Newcastle, Coffs Harbour, Taree, Bathurst and Dubbo, will be visited by the travelling clinic beginning this month.
Lung checks, which the mobile clinic offers amongst other services, enables early detection of dust diseases such as silicosis, asbestosis, and mesothelioma.
These checks are especially important for workers who are exposed to harmful dusts like silicia.
Engineered stone (silicia) is so dangerous the NSW Government is currently campaigning for a country-wide ban of its use.
Part of this campaign includes a newly created Silica Compliance Team which conducts inspections on sites that use the stone.
Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said the NSW Government hopes to remove barriers like cost and location for workers.
“This ensures workers across NSW have access to the critical support and care they need to safeguard their health,” she said.
“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.”
The next-gen Lung Bus has multiple new features including digital chest X-ray technology and monitoring systems, enhanced spirometry (lung function) testing equipment, and back-up power supply.
Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said the bus will provide thousands of health checks 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,” she said.
The Lung Bus is planning to visit Broken Hill in July, for more information go to the icare website.
