icare's new mobile clinic hits the road for lung health checks

icare has launched a new Lung Health Mobile Clinic to provide respiratory screenings for workers throughout New South Wales.

The mobile unit has begun operations, expanding access to health assessments for individuals at risk of occupational lung diseases.

The initiative builds on a long-running program that has delivered lung health screenings for nearly 16 years. The previous mobile clinic covered more than 700,000 kilometres and examined over 53,000 people at more than 300 locations. The service conducts more than 5,000 screenings each year, helping detect conditions such as asbestosis, silicosis, and mesothelioma at an early stage.

Protecting workers from hazardous dust exposure

NSW Minister for Industrial Relations and Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said the mobile clinic is part of broader efforts to protect workers from hazardous dust exposure, including the recent prohibition on engineered stone.

“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,” she said.

Lung health mobile clinic’s features

The upgraded mobile clinic includes: 

• digital chest X-ray technology for preliminary lung imaging
• spirometry equipment to assess lung function
• digital monitoring tools to support diagnosis
• a backup power system for operation in remote areas
• an expanded clinical space for improved accessibility
• Indigenous artwork by Mumbulla Creative, reflecting local culture and community connections

icare has encouraged workers with past or current exposure to hazardous dust – such as those in mining, construction, tunnelling, and manufacturing – to undergo screenings.

“A lung health check could save your life,” said icare group executive of general insurance and care, Britt Coombe. “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.”

The mobile clinic offers lung health assessments that include: 

• a chest X-ray to identify potential lung abnormalities
• lung function testing to measure respiratory capacity
• a specialist consultation to review results and provide guidance
• a referral for a CT scan when additional imaging is necessary

icare’s Dust Diseases Care team coordinates screenings at its Sydney CBD clinic, through local health services, and via the mobile unit. The organisation also arranges transport for workers in remote areas when needed.

The screening process aligns with national guidelines from the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, and a clinical governance committee oversees the program to ensure best-practice standards are maintained.