Funding boost for Heart of Australia

Mobile health clinic service, Heart of Australia, has received a major funding commitment of $17.2 million from the Federal Government.

The innovative initiative, which sees five mobile clinics hauled by PACCAR Australia’s DAF and Kenworth prime movers throughout country Queensland, brings vital health services to regional Australians who otherwise struggle to gain access to the health care they need.

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“I would especially like to thank the Minister for Regional Health, Dr David Gillespie, for his unwavering commitment and advocacy to ensure funding for Heart of Australia to continue delivering services for regional Queenslanders was included in the 2022-2023 Federal Budget,” said the founder of the scheme and cardiologist, Dr Rolf Gomes (pictured above).

“Having the continued support from the Federal Government can give Queenslanders living in rural and remote areas the confidence we will continue to be there for them, no matter what.”

Beginning operations in 2014, the Heart of Australia program deploys services across 33 regional Queensland communities, from Goodiwindi in the south to Winton in the west and Weipa in the north.

Backed by PACCAR Australia, the initiative provides services spanning cardiology, endocrinology, sleep medicine, geriatric medicine, immunology, neurology, psychiatry, gastroenterology, gynaecology, and general medicine, as well as CT and X-ray imaging for mine dust lung diseases, such as black lung and silicosis.

Dr Gomes said the funding boost would make a huge difference, improving lives and helping to support the work of local GPs.

“This is a major step forward to ensure Queenslanders living in rural and remote areas have the same access to medical specialists as those living in the cities,” said Dr Gomes.

“Bringing medical services to regional and remote communities breaks down the barriers of distance, meaning more Queenslanders can get the health care they need.

“A special thank you also to all of Heart of Australia’s partners and supporters, whose ongoing contribution has been instrumental in helping us achieve this major milestone.”