The first of five state-of-the-art mobile health clinics, HEART 7, is bound for for rural and remote communities in Western Australia.
HEART 7 will take lung cancer screening across WA, visiting the Pilbara, Kimberley, and Midwest regions, including Derby, Exmouth, Newman, and Meekatharra, from November 24. More outlying communities will follow.
The initiative is 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.
Dr Rolf Gomes, Heart of Australia Founder and Queensland Australian of the Year recipient (2026), recently announced HEART 7’s maiden voyage to WA in Brisbane, earlier this month.
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.
This new fleet of mobile health clinics has future potential to deliver Heart of Australia’s broader specialist services, including cardiology, respiratory, occupational health programs, clinical trials, and training for healthcare professionals and medical students across the country.
“We are incredibly proud to see the first truck of our national expansion hit the road,” Dr. Gomes said.
“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.
“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, the Hon Mark Butler, said 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,” the Minister said.
“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), praised 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,” Dr. Casey said.
“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.
“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.
“HEART 7 brings life-saving lung screening to regional Australians, and we’re proud to stand with Heart of Australia to rewrite the story of lung health for those left behind,” he said.
Read more about health programs and research initiatives.
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