Lung Foundation Australia welcomed Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Ged Kearney MP to their new offices in Milton today to officially open the space and launch the new national silicosis services. 

Lung Foundation Australia CEO Mark Brooke said the Silicosis Social Work program now sits alongside the charity’s Silicosis Support Nurse service, and both are free, confidential telephone-based support networks for people living with silicosis, their family and carers. Dedicated online peer support groups are also available. 

“Silicosis is an insidious disease which currently has no cure, and we know it is going to affect thousands of people over the next few years,” Mr Brooke said. 

“With the latest research finding more than a quarter of Australians who have worked with artificial stone benchtops have already developed the disease, getting support services in place has been crucial.” 

Mr Brooke said while the recent announcement of a ban on engineered stone importation into Australia puts us at the world forefront in the fight to completely obliterate the deadly resurgence of silicosis, thousands who have already been affected would need support in living with their diagnosis. 

“Lung Foundation Australia has been fighting for almost 5 years to see the scourge of silicosis taken seriously by industry and government, and we stand with the thousands of Aussie workers and their families who said, enough is enough,” he said.  

Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ged Kearney said the Albanese Labor Government has shown national leadership on deadly occupational respiratory diseases.  

“No one should die because they’ve turned up to work,” Assistant Minister Kearney said. 

Through Lung Foundation Australia’s Silicosis Social Work service, patients will be helped to navigate the practical and emotional impact of living with silicosis.   

The organisation can provide information, support and referral pathways on a range of topics such as:   

• Processing a diagnosis   
• Impact on family and relationships   
• Financial and housing assistance   
• Coping with progression    
• Emotional and mental health support  

The Silicosis Support Nurse service can also provide information and support around understanding and living with silicosis, which may include information around coping with breathlessness, fatigue, and other challenging symptoms that come with this disease, as well as provide guidance about relevant support services.