Strengthening Safety and Quality with icare’s Clinical Governance Committee

 icare is setting a high standard in health screening for workers exposed to hazardous dusts such as silica and asbestos, through the icare Dust Diseases Care (DDC) Health Screening Clinical Governance Committee.

Established in late 2023, this expert committee has a strong focus on optimising safety and quality to ensure icare delivers best-practice screening aligned with national and global standards.

Chaired by icare’s Manager of Research and Education, Dr Kirsty Hannaford-Turner, the Clinical Governance Committee meets every two months to provide evidence-based recommendations, monitor performance, and guide strategic priorities.

The committee is comprised of a diverse range of specialists, including medical and radiology professionals, representatives from the Medical Assessment Panel, client advocates, and icare’s health screening leadership team. Additional experts are invited as needed to provide targeted advice.

Best Practices in Screening

icare’s commitment to excellence is underpinned by adherence to National Guidance for doctors assessing workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica dust .

These guidelines emphasise individualised risk assessments for clients and recommend chest computed tomography (CT) scans when exposure history, symptoms or lung function testing suggests further investigations or if there is any diagnostic uncertainty.

Due to the risk of false positives with the use of low-dose CT scans in a screening context, National Guidance does not currently recommend CT scanning as an initial screening method for all workers exposed to silica dust.

The Guidance does note that recommendations are guided by the best available evidence at the time of publication.

The Clinical Governance Committee is well-positioned to recognise when new evidence would suggest a change in the recommended diagnostic practices and ensure icare’s health screening service adopts the latest recommendations.

Where CT scanning is clinically relevant, icare ensures a seamless client experience by coordinating and covering the costs, even arranging transport for those in need. This client-first approach highlights icare’s dedication to accessibility and care.

Last financial year, almost one in three people screened by icare for exposure to silica dust were referred for CT scans (1200 people screened for silica dust exposure; 340 CT referrals).

Comprehensive Screening Services

The Dust Diseases Care Health Screening Clinic is located at icare’s Sydney office (321 Kent Street), while a roaming Mobile Clinic (Lung Bus) provides a holistic suite of services for workers, including:

• Chest X-rays
• Spirometry (lung function testing)
• Doctor consultations
• Follow-up CT scans (as advised by specialist doctors)

All results are reviewed by specialist doctors, who ensure clients fully understand their health status. Reports are securely stored for a minimum of 40 years, with diagnoses reported to the National Occupational Respiratory Disease Registry, ensuring robust data tracking and transparency.

Commitment to Safety and Innovation

icare’s Clinical Governance Committee remains at the forefront of health screening innovation, continually reviewing emerging evidence and enhancing practices to safeguard worker health. By fostering collaboration and drawing on expert insights, icare reinforces its leadership in occupational health and safety.

Learn more about icare's Dust Diseases Care