For the first time, a mobile health unit that offers free lung checks for former Queensland mine and quarry workers is coming to the Toowoomba region.
HEART5 will roll into Queens Park in east Toowoomba from the August 26–27.
The B-double truck is packed full of state-of-the-art medical screening equipment and travels around regional and remote Queensland offering tests that detect mine dust lung diseases.
The service is operated by Heart of Australia in partnership with Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ).
RSHQ’s director of health strategy and compliance Patrick Jensen said the tests are important to do, even long after finishing work in the industry because occupational lung diseases can take 10 years or more to develop.
“Many former workers may not have symptoms or be aware they have a disease,” Jensen said.
“Come forward and get tested because there could be treatment available, and you may be entitled to compensation.
“It costs you nothing, just time.”
HEART5 screening includes:
- examination with an RSHQ-approved doctor
- chest X-ray
- lung function test by spirometry
- CT scan (if required).
Free checks are available to former Queensland mine and quarry workers with at least three years’ experience working in coal mines, mineral mines or quarries, including six months in Queensland.