The first of five new mobile health clinics has headed for Western Australia marking a major milestone in delivering the National Lung Cancer Screening Program to rural, remote and First Nations communities around Australia.
HEART 7 is the newest mobile health clinic which will take lung cancer screening across WA, visiting the Pilbara, Kimberley, Derby, Exmouth, Newman, and Meekatharra, from November 24, with more communities to follow.
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 of Australia founder and Queensland Australian of the Year recipient (2026) Rolf Gomes says he is incredibly proud to see the first truck of the 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,” he says.
“This next phase means we can deliver health benefits across the nation – and WA is the perfect place to start.”
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.
Minister for health and ageing Mark Butler says the National Lung Cancer Screening Program would be the latest addition to Australia’s world-leading cancer screening efforts.
“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.”
National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) deputy CEO Dawn Casey says the programs prioritise 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,” she says.
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.
“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.”
Lung Foundation Australia CEO, Mark Brooke, said Heart of Australia is helping close a critical health gap between metropolitan and remote communities.