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Sonic HealthPlus has been named as the successful tenderer to provide exit medicals to Queensland nickels workers who were made redundant from following the closure of the Queensland Nickel (QNI) Yubulu plant, approximately 25 km north of Townsville.
The Townsville Hospital and Health Service selected the company to conduct the tests over six months through their national network of medical centres and clinics from the week beginning 12 September.
Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services Cameron Dick said the Palaszczuk Government had responded to the call to provide support to former workers during a challenging time.
He said exit medicals were standard industry procedures in the mining and mineral-processing industries and were routinely offered by employers.
“These tests are critical to ensuring the health and wellbeing of 800 former Queensland Nickel workers who were made redundant this year,” he said.
“The circumstances these former QNI employees found themselves in earlier this year was very unfortunate and given the nature of their work and the possible exposure they may have had during their employment to harmful chemicals it is vital that they receive their exit medicals.
“Our government has stepped into the breach to provide this service to support local workers to give them peace of mind as they enter the next phase of their lives.”
Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said the exit medicals marked a major win for locals affected by job loss earlier this year.
“For former QNI workers it can be a difficult task to gain employment without the right checks being carried out,” he said.
“Ensuring they have their exit medicals means one less hurdle for these members of our Townsville community as they set about starting the next chapter in their working lives.”
Sonic HealthPlus Senior Specialist Occupational and Environmental Physician Dr Keith Adam said a plan had been developed to ensure former workers could access the exit medicals in a timely and appropriate way over coming weeks, regardless of where they live.
“Prior to the exit medicals beginning, Sonic HealthPlus will be running advertisements in local media, contacting relevant unions and establishing a dedicated phone contact for people to enquire about the exit medicals,” he said.
“We will be delivering these medicals via a national network of clinics which means we will be able to cater for those workers still in Townsville but also those who have since moved interstate.”
