Harbour Road Medical to resume lung function tests as six-month suspension is lifted

A Queensland medical provider suspended for substandard lung tests will be allowed to resume full operations. See why the ban was lifted. 

Mackay general practice Harbour Road Medical has a suspension imposed on lung testing of miners.

A Mackay medical provider will resume screening coal miners for lung disease as a six-month suspension for substandard testing will soon be lifted.

In May this year it was revealed the mine safety regulator had suspended Harbour Road Medical after an audit exposed that 30 per cent of their lung function (spirometry) tests were unacceptable and did not meet minimum quality standards.

RSHQ’s audit had examined more than 5000 spirometry tests across 100 Queensland practices with the suspension only applying to spirometry testing of coal mine workers at the Mackay facility.

The audit found Harbour Road Medical’s spirometry practice failed in a number of areas including conducting the tests effectively; identifying issues in the test results; maintaining accurate comments, leading to incorrect test interpretation; and repeating tests multiple times to the same level as required.

As a result the practice was suspended for six months and 135 impacted workers had to be contacted and were advised to undergo repeat testing.

That suspension will be lifted on October 3.

Harbour Road Medical submitted evidence that its testing and quality control had improved.Picture: Janessa Ekert

A statement from Harbour Road Medical notes its “comprehensive action plan” to address what it called “deficiencies”.

Key areas the centre focused on over the past six months include working with RSHQ and other medical experts to review and enhance spirometry testing procedures, comprehensive staff training programs and implementing a quality assurance program to regularly audit testing processes.

“Our revised protocols are designed to meet the highest clinical standards, ensuring that each test is performed with precision and accuracy,” the statement claims.

“By taking these proactive steps, we aim to better serve our clients and contribute to the health and safety of Queensland coal mine workers.”

Clients affected by substandard spirometry are not being charged for repeat testing, and their employers have been contacted to ensure they keep their roles while testing is underway, according to the company.

Resources Safety and Health Queensland has confirmed that prior to the suspension ending, Harbour Road Medical submitted evidence that its testing and quality control had improved.

The regulator also conducted an on-site inspection of the practice to verify it had met the requirements to continue testing.

It is understood the suspension will be lifted and spirometry test can resume in the coming weeks.

RSHQ’s Health Strategy and Compliance director Patrick Jensen said the regulatory action sent a strong message to other medical providers about putting the health of coal mine workers at risk.

“When our workers go to get tested, they need to know they can trust the medical professionals to do their job to a high standard,” Mr Jensen said.

“That’s why RSHQ’s audits are so important and we’ll continue to hold our medical providers to the required standard.

“Outside of auditing, we also hold educational seminars and share best practice with industry so that we’re constantly improving health and safety standards for workers.”

Between 2015 to 2024 501 workers across all Queensland resources sectors were diagnosed with mine dust lung diseases, with almost one in five having worked at a coal mine.

The increase in diagnoses comes off the back of relentless campaigns, led by the likes of the late Arch Tudehope who was a founding member of the Black Lungs Victim Group, to support screening for the disease.