Prepare for your lung health check with icare

Prepare for your appointment for a lung health check with icare.​

  1. Complete your questionnaire
    Current workers: complete your questionnaire. Ask us to SMS or email you the link again if you can’t find it.
  2. Take your medication
    Continue to take your medication as normal, if you are on any medication.
  3. Do not smoke
    Do not smoke on the day if you are a smoker. Smoking can change the results of your breathing test.
  4. Wear a clean t-shirt
    To avoid bringing dust into the screening clinic, please have a clean t-shirt to wear. Your shirt should not have any zippers or buttons, and jumpers or jackets may need to be removed before your x-ray.
  5. Attend at your appointment time
    Attend at your appointment time as we have limited space in our waiting areas.
  6. You’re welcome to bring a support person
    You can have a support person with you such as a family member, carer or interpreter.
  7. Let us know about any recent imaging
    If you’ve had an x-ray or CT scan since your last icare lung screen visit, please bring along the name and location of the provider who took the image so that we can obtain copies.

If you are unable to attend your appointment

Please let us know if you can no longer attend your scheduled appointment. You can reschedule your appointment if you are feeling unwell or have any flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat or difficulty breathing. Contact us on (02) 8223 6600 or toll free 1800 550 027 during business hours 9am-5pm.

 

    What is a respiratory medical examination

  • Chest x-ray

    A chest x-ray is done by a licensed Radiographer. It provides us with images of your lungs, it is non-invasive and painless.

    Please tell the Radiographer if either:

    • you have had a chest x-ray in the last three months; or
    • you are a woman and you are or may be pregnant.

    You may be asked to remove your shirt and neck jewellery, and to change into a gown in the private change room.

    You may have two x-ray images taken:

    One from behind you and one from the side. You will need to stand still and hold your breath briefly when instructed. The x-ray beam is turned on for less than one second for each x-ray image.

    The risk of harm from a chest x-ray is generally considered to be negligible. You will receive a total amount of x-ray radiation of approximately 70 microsieverts. This is equivalent to the amount of background radiation everyone receives in about ten days of ordinary living.

    If you have any questions about chest x-rays please ask the Radiographer on the day.

  • Lung function test

    The lung function (also called spirometry) test is done by a Respiratory Technician. It provides us with information about your breathing and how much oxygen you are getting.

    Three tests are done:

    1. Check for obstructions or restrictions that block your intake of air

    2. Test how much oxygen your lungs can absorb

    3. Measure how much air you can breathe into your lungs

    For each test you will be instructed on how to breath and what to do. Please listen carefully to the instructions.

  • Consultation with a doctor

    Our Specialist Doctor will ask you questions about your work history, your medical history and if you have any difficulty breathing.

    The doctor may refer you to get a CT scan. A CT scan gives us a better picture of your chest and lungs. We arrange and pay for your CT scan at a local provider.

Your results

After your screening appointment your results will be reviewed by a Radiologist and our Respiratory Physician.

It can take up to six weeks for the results to be confirmed. Our specialist doctor will call you to tell you the results and respond to any questions you may have. You will also be sent in the mail your Respiratory Health Monitoring report. If you are currently employed in a role where you may be exposed to hazardous dust, the report will also be sent to your employer.

Results may also be reviewed by one of our senior clinicians or the Dust Diseases Care Medical Assessment Panel (MAP). The MAP is an expert panel of respiratory specialists who review medical and work history information and make decisions about eligibility for compensation through Dust Diseases Care.

We will keep medical results in our secure database for a minimum of 40 years. You can request your results held by us at any time.

Compensation entitlement

icare Dust Diseases Care provides benefits to workers and their families who have been impacted by a work-related dust disease. Your eligibility to apply for support through Dust Diseases Care is determined by three major criteria:

  1. A medical diagnosis of a dust disease covered by our scheme
  2. Evidence that the exposure to harmful dust occurred while you were employed in NSW
  3. A level of disability as a result of your dust disease.

Read more about benefits for workers

Dust diseases are rare and slow to develop. Most do not develop for at least 10 years after first exposure. Completing a medical examination is essential for any application for compensation, but it is not an application.

If you are diagnosed with a work-related dust disease, we will provide you with information about making an application for compensation. We recommend you prepare an application at your earliest convenience as payments are back dated to the date we receive the application.

Make an application

Reimbursement of expenses

If you are not currently working or your current work does not involve hazardous dust then you will have made your appointment directly with icare. If this is you, then you are entitled to claim your travel expenses.

Please keep receipts for your out-of-pocket travel expenses.

Dust Diseases Care reimburses the following:

  • Public transport by train, bus or ferry
  • Private vehicle use and parking costs where public transport is not possible. Travel of distances more than 100km require prior approval. Other out-of-pocket expenses may be covered, please discuss with your dedicated icare contact team member.
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