Lung Bus Brings Vital Free Health Checks to Wagga and Griffith

A state-of-the-art mobile clinic, known as the Lung Bus, is set to visit Wagga Wagga and Griffith in August, providing free lung screenings and tests to local residents.

This initiative aims to address the rise in occupational lung conditions seen across Australia over the past 15 years.

The Lung Bus is described as a lifesaving service that removes geographical and financial barriers to essential lung health care.

Many people, particularly workers whose jobs require such tests, know firsthand how costly lung tests can be, potentially costing hundreds of dollars each time.

The arrival of this service free of charge is therefore highly anticipated.

Equipped with several innovations, including digital chest x-ray technology and enhanced equipment for lung function tests, the Lung Bus brings world-class care directly to communities.

Early detection through these checks is considered critical to effective treatment and can potentially save lives.

The program is particularly crucial for protecting workers exposed to hazardous dusts.

When materials are processed through activities like mining, drilling, and sanding, fine solid particles such as silica, asbestos, coal, wood, and metals can become airborne.

Even short-term exposure to these occupational dusts can cause serious damage to the lungs and respiratory system.

Conditions such as silicosis, asbestosis, pneumoconiosis (black lung disease), and lung cancer are linked to exposure to these dusts.

Symptoms can include coughing, shortness of breath, chest pains, and mucus in the airways. The Lung Bus offers checks that can identify these dust-related diseases at an early stage.

Early detection is vital because it allows for timely interventions, which can improve the chances of successful treatment and reduce the severity of these diseases.

An Icare official emphasized that they are working to ensure every worker, no matter where they live, has access to world-class care.

The Lung Bus also helps raise awareness about the risks of dust exposure and encourages workers to seek regular lung health checks.

The Lung Bus is scheduled to be in Wagga from 4 to 5 August, and in Griffith from 25 to 26 August.

According to available information, Lung Bus bookings are currently at capacity.

However, individuals can visit the Icare website for more information or to arrange lung health checks.

Workers can also arrange a free lung screening at Icare’s Sydney CBD clinic or with local providers regionally when the Lung Bus is not in the area.

To book a free lung health check, you can contact Icare on 1800 550 027.

The establishment of the Lung Bus follows revelations of the rise in lung disease cases like silicosis and the national ban on engineered stone, with an expert taskforce established to address silica-related health risks.

This essential service has been made possible by the Minns Labor Government’s investment of $2.5 million in the Lung Health Mobile Clinic.

A team of dedicated silica safety inspectors will also be funded to ensure businesses comply with strengthened work safety laws.

The Lung Bus program is reported to have a significant impact, screening thousands of workers annually and visiting numerous locations across the state.