Seven months since its launch, NSW's first heart imaging van has scanned more than 500 patients as it rotated between Cobar, Bourke, and Walgett.

Now, its services are expanding.

The Remote Mobile CT (computerised tomography) scan van was unveiled in May, helping to offer more accessible health diagnosis tools to residents and locals to surrounding areas. 

While the van was originally set up for CT scans to help diagnose causes of pain from muscles and joints and to detect different diseases, new equipment will provide cardiac CT scans. 

“Cardiac angiograms are a critical tool in the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease and it’s wonderful to know the far west community can now have access to this service,” said Minister for Health Ryan Park. 

“We know rates of cardiovascular disease are high in rural and remote areas and it’s important these communities have access to world-class diagnostic care closer to home.” 

Member for Barwon Roy Butler and Minister for Health Ryan Park. (Roy Butler)

Commonly performed in larger medical imaging centres, Western Plains patients have had to travel to Dubbo, Sydney or Broken Hill for their cardiac angiograms.

Now the van will be supported by visiting cardiologists, Professor Gemma Figtree and Dr Melissa Doohan. 

Member for Barwon Roy Butler said that it would be beneficial to see more similar services brought to the region. 

“Having this mobile CT van means people no longer have to travel to Dubbo, sometimes up to 10 hours, to get vital imaging scans,” Mr Butler said. 

“The addition of the cardiac angiography service at Bourke means people at risk of cardiovascular disease can get the care they need, when they need it, without having to travel long distances.”

The addition is part of a pilot program, which will be reassessed after it finishes in early 2024, with hopes to deliver the service to other remote communities. 

A doctor’s referral is required for consumers to access the mobile CT van.