Specialist cardiology services coming to Childers

Residents in Childers and surrounding areas will be able to access a mobile cardiology service thanks to $12 million in Federal Government funding to Heart of Australia.

Funding will support their two mobile specialist clinics and help to build a third service which will service Northern Queensland and the Cape, bringing the total number communities serviced by Heart of Australia across Queensland from 16 to 25.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said Australians living in regional, rural and remote Queensland, including Childers and surrounding areas will be able to step on board the mobile clinics and get appropriate and timely care.

“This is a great win for the constituents of Hinkler and I’m pleased they will now have greater access to specialised health services in our area,” he said.

“The Heart of Australia mobile cardiology service has had a significant impact on reducing the severity and incidence of cardiovascular disease since 2014.”

Funding will be provided over three years from 1 July 2019 to significantly expand the reach and scope of these vital services. The service supports investigation, diagnosis and consultation facilities, host telemedicine consultations, teleconferencing in addition to creating more jobs.

Heart of Australia founder and CEO Dr Rolf Gomes is a qualified cardiologist and engineer who has been a driving force of the service from conception to launch through to this exciting expansion.

“Heart of Australia allows Australians living in Hinkler access treatment by the specialists and medical equipment they could expect at a metropolitan clinic,” Dr Rolf Gomes said.

“The funding boost allows it to expand its reach and scope of services in rural and regional Queensland to improve health outcomes with it’s tried and tested mobile specialist service.”

The $12 million will improve a wide range of outreach health services to communities in need in north east Queensland, including cardiology, endocrinology, sleep medicine, psychiatry, geriatric medicine, immunology, general medicine, neurology, gastroenterology and gynaecology.

Diagnostic medical equipment will also be supported including cardiac stress testing, ECG monitoring, 24 hour heart rhythm-monitoring, cardiac ultrasound, colposcopy, sleep apnoea testing and device fitting, nerve conduction studies, liver fibroscan, respiratory function, respiratory function testing, 24 hour blood pressure monitoring and telehealth services.

The LNP is committed to delivering improved health services in Queensland which includes increased hospital funding with an extra $8 billion for hospitals taking it to $29.5 billion over five years.

The Liberal National Government’s strong economic management ensures the continued record investment of funding into vital health initiatives including mental health, life-saving medicines, Medicare and hospitals.