Mobile healthcare company Heart of Australia recently screened over 120 people for cardiovascular disease during a week-long clinic in Palm Island, Queensland.
The screenings took place in one of the association’s “heart trucks” – a custom-designed medical clinic on wheels, with all the amenities you would expect to find in a city-based specialist practice, from testing equipment to consulting rooms and a reception area.
Alongside the healthcare team at Palm Island Community Company, Heart of Australia provided locals with the opportunity to check their heart health without having to travel to the mainland.
One of their patients from the Palm Island visit, Vaughn, said having the service visit was a valuable opportunity for his remote community.
“Everyone was on the same page and just wanting to help our community,” he said.
“We put a lot of loved ones away from things like heart disease, kidney disease, because we aren’t getting thoroughly checked.”
Palm Island is the largest discreet Indigenous community in Australia, and Vaughn is a Civil and Open Space manager at the Palm Island Council.
He said having the heart truck conduct screenings saved the community money and time they would otherwise spend going to the mainland to access medical services.
“If I had to leave Palm, I might take a five o’clock or seven o’clock flight and by the time I sit waiting to have the check, it is nearly time to go back,” he said.
“Knowing that the service is available and that we could have a check this year and one next year makes life easier.
“It was a really good experience…I will be there before the truck even gets off the barge next time!”
To check if there’s a Heart of Australia clinic coming up near you, take a look at their timetable here.