Mobile health care company Heart of Australia is expanding its life-saving fleet of big rigs in 2025 thanks to a $45 million federal investment, alongside other corporate money.
Heart of Australia founder and CEO Dr Rolf Gomes made the announcement that five more trucks would be hitting the road from next year at the company’s 10th anniversary gala dinner in Brisbane on August 24.
The trucks will deliver the National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP) to rural, remote and First Nations communities.
The NLCSP is aimed at early detection of lung cancer, which will mean better health outcomes for patients across Australia.
Dr Gomes said the national expansion would enable Heart of Australia to reach more communities and save more lives.
“Being able to combine our existing services with mobile radiology brings us one step closer to delivering a hospital on wheels to far flung communities,” Dr Gomes said.
“We thank all our corporate partners and supporters whose ongoing commitment and contribution has been a lifeline in helping us break down the tyranny of distance between the city and the bush.
“I would especially like to thank the Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Honourable Mark Butler MP, for recognising the important role Heart of Australia plays in ensuring people living in rural and remote areas have the same access to medical specialists as those living in cities.”
The new lung screening service builds on Heart of Australia’s existing specialist services and other health programs, including preventative and occupational health screening, clinical trials, and education for healthcare professionals and medical students.
The first new truck, HEART 7, is expected to be on the road by September 2025.