WITH a packed-house clinic in Emerald just days ago, the pioneering “home delivery” Heart of Australia program, bringing specialist cardiologists to rural and remote communities, has confirmed its expansion into Central Queensland – just five months after its launch in the south-west.

Program founder, Brisbane-based cardiologist Dr Rolf Gomes, confirmed that along with Emerald, Heart of Australia now planned regular visits to Moranbah, Charters Towers, Barcaldine and Hughenden.

“We could not ignore the demand and willing support of the people out there – the local GPs, councils and businesses – so we’ve fast-tracked the spread of our service territory into the central west,” Dr Gomes said.

“Australians on our coastal fringe can be mind-boggled by the distances and sense of remoteness of the true bush – where so many just like them have committed to living, working and raising families in remote areas. “The first thing Heart of Australia offers is relief from having to drive for days, leaving home and family, maybe hanging around in a city overnight, for what could turn out to be a 20-minute medical consultation.

“We’ve been humbled to have actually saved lives by identifying a number of patients who were showing life threatening symptoms at critical stages. At the end of the day… that’s what the Heart of Australia program is all about.”