Featured in our second issue, Heart of Australia has just unleashed the first of five new state-of-the-art mobile health clinics bound for Western Australia, marking a major milestone in delivering the National Lung Cancer Screening Program and life-saving specialist care to rural, remote and First Nations communities around Australia.
Nearly 20,000 Queenslanders have attended Heart of Australia’s mobile clinics since 2014. Now, the newest mobile health clinic, HEART 7, will take lung cancer screening across to WA – visiting the Pilbara, Kimberley and Midwest regions, including Derby, Exmouth, Newman and Meekatharra, from November 24, with more communities to follow.
Dr Rolf Gomes, Heart of Australia Founder and Queensland Australian of the Year recipient (2026), announced HEART 7’s maiden voyage to WA during a Gala Dinner in Brisbane on November 15.
HEART 7 is the first of five new trucks to be rolled out over the next two years as part of a national expansion. The expansion is supported by $45 million in Federal Government funding committed to making the National Lung Cancer Screening Program accessible to rural, remote and First Nations populations.
HEART 7 is the first of five new trucks to be rolled out over next two years in a national expansion
This new fleet of mobile health clinics also has the potential to deliver Heart of Australia’s broader specialist services in the future, including cardiology, respiratory, occupational health programs, clinical trials and training for healthcare professionals and medical students across the country as support for the service builds.
“We are incredibly proud to see the first truck of our national expansion hit the road. To date, we’ve treated almost 20,000 patients, directly saved more than 900 lives, and spared regional Queenslanders over 53 million kilometres of travel for specialist care,” Gomes says.
“This next phase means we can deliver health benefits across the nation – and WA is the perfect place to start. We couldn’t do this without the support of the Federal Government, and our generous corporate partners.”
Minister for Health and Ageing Hon Mark Butler says the National Lung Cancer Screening Program will be the latest addition to Australia’s world-leading cancer screening efforts.
HEART 7 will take lung cancer screening across to WA – visiting the Pilbara, Kimberley and Midwest
“This program is saving lives. Just weeks ago, someone in Victoria went from screening to surgery in two weeks – their cancer caught early and treated fast,” he says.
“These aren’t just trucks, they’re mobile clinics fitted with consulting rooms and battery-powered CT scanners, built to reach even the most remote parts of Australia.”
Dr Dawn Casey, Deputy CEO, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), praises the program’s commitment to prioritising culturally safe care.
“Lung cancer is the most common cancer among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and it is taking too many lives. We cannot afford to wait; early detection is critical. That is why this program matters. Our people must have care that is effective and culturally safe, delivered in ways that respect community and Country” she says.
“By working together to make screening accessible and culturally inclusive, we can support our people to take control of their health and give families more precious time with their loved ones.”
