The CWMHS is carried out to determine fitness for work and undertake health surveillance particularly in regard to the detection of respiratory diseases such as pneumoconiosis (black lung) in Queensland coal miners. From 1 April 2023 the process for health assessments will change. Please visit ResHealth for more information.
Click this link to the Sonic HealthPlus complete guide to the new bookings process.
Prior to 1 April 2023 you will have made your health assessment bookings directly with Sonic HealthPlus. Due to the change in legislation by the Qld Government you are now required to begin this process in the first instance through ResHealth.
Qld Coal Mine employers are required to have a medical practitioner/s as their appointed medical adviser (AMA). The AMA’s role is to carry out, supervise and report on health assessments for the employers of coal mine workers.
If you are a worker, your employer will arrange for your health assessment. This is a mandatory process through ResHealth and not a process a worker can start without an employer or prospective employer.
Here are some frequently asked questions about Queensland Coal Mine Workers Health Scheme
All Queensland coal mine workers are required under legislation to complete a health assessment. The Queensland Government, via the independent regulator Resources Safety and Health RSHQ, have designed the online portal (ResHealth) to undertake these health assessments. It is now mandatory that this portal is used.
Prior to organising your booking with us you will need to complete a number of steps through ResHealth. They offer a Support Guides for Employers to help employers navigate this process.
A coal worker changing employer must undergo a health assessment (CMWHS) relevant to their new employer. This new assessment will need to be initiated through ResHealth by the new employer and the worker will be required to log on to ResHealth and complete their section. Once completed an email will go through to their AMA (Appointed Medical Advisor) to notify the AMA that the assessment is ready for review. If new information is required before the assessment can be completed (e.g. new ILO CXR) then the AMA will advise.
We have created a step-by-step summary guide to provide an understanding of the process required.
On the day of appointment:
*Super User: An appointed person who will initiate workers’ health assessments on your (the employee’s) behalf.
Important: Please note that ResHealth is not a booking platform for your assessment with Sonic HealthPlus.
If assessments are cancelled in ResHealth, it DOES NOT cancel the booking at Sonic HealthPlus.
To book in for a Qld Coal Mine Workers medical please contact our Contact Centre on 1300 763 822, email bookings@sonichealthplus.com.au or you may also contact your preferred Sonic HealthPlus clinic
Only the employer’s appointed AMA can complete and sign Section 4 in the process of the health assessment. If your organisation does not have an AMA, please contact Sonic HealthPlus through the Enquire form below.
Once your employer or prospective employer have initiated your health assessment process through ResHealth you will receive an email from them to begin your section of the process before you have your medical.
To help you prepare for your medical, please familiarise yourself and follow the steps outlined below:
Wear loose clothing. Bring prescription glasses if worn (remove contact lenses).
Please bring to your appointment updated Doctor's Report regarding any chronic medical condition you have or that requires a specialist review.
Preparing for your Coal Worker Medical
If you are using bronchodilator medication, where possible and safe, ensure that you withhold your current treatment base on Bronchodilator Medication Withholding Times – Table below outlines
| Bronchodilator Medication | Withholding Times |
|---|---|
| SABA – Short-acting β2-agonist (eg. albuterol or salbutamol) | 4-6 hours |
| SAMA – Short-acting muscarinic antagonist (eg. ipratropium bromide) | 12 hours |
| LABA – Long-acting β2-agonist (eg. formoterol or salmeterol) | 24 hours |
| Ultra-LABA - Long-acting β2-agonist (indacaterol, vilanterol, or olodaterol) | 36 hours |
| LAMA – Long-acting muscarinic antagonist (eg. tiotropium, umeclidinium, aclidinium, or glycopyrronium) | 36-48 hours |
Important: Please advise of any recent or active transmissible or systemic lung infection including TB (Tuberculosis)
There is now a requirement to compare your past lung function (spirometry) results with those you achieve in this medical. If you have had a previous spirometry test, please bring your past results to your medical. Where this is not possible, the AMA (Appointed Medical Adviser) will make a request to the RSHQ (Resources Safety and Health Qld) for past results. Be aware this will lengthen the time to complete your Health Assessment Report (previously Section 4 certificate.)
ILO CXR – (Chest Xray)
All medicals require either a new ILO Chest Xray, or a copy of your past (less than 2 years old) ILO Chest Xray B-Read report. Your Section 4 certificate will be delayed if you have opted to provide a past report and you don’t provide this to the Doctor at the time of your appointment.
AUD - Hearing Test
You MUST have 16 hours of quiet time prior to test (For e.g. no loud music, riding motorbike or travelling in an aircraft).
The Health Assessment report is completed and signed by the Appointed Medical Adviser (AMA) and details; fitness for duty, work restrictions and requirements for a subsequent follow-up and assessment of the worker. Only the HA Report has been forwarded to the employer. The AMA only completes section 4s when all examinations and follow up investigations, including the chest X-Ray examination, are completed.
See the link below to find explanatory notes that may relate to your Health Assessment Report (previously Section 4).
For more information about Coal Mine Dust Lung Diseases and Support for Affected Workers, please download the booklet below.
RSHQ is transitioning to ResHealth and the health assessment process is moving online. This transition has already commenced and will continue throughout the remainder of 2022 and in to early 2023. From 1 April 2023 it will be mandatory for all coal mine worker health assessments to be started through ResHealth.
The HA reference is used to find a health assessment in ResHealth. Each time a health assessment is started it will have a unique reference. This is so that the employer, worker and medical professional can access the relevant part of the health assessment they are completing.
You will need to nominate a super user who will register your company and themselves at the same time. The super user will need to verify their identity. This person will be the administrator for ResHealth and control who can access ResHealth on your company’s behalf.
ResHealth does not arrange medical appointments. Appointments should be booked with medical providers directly. For any modifications or cancellations to an appointment made your medical provider will also need to be contacted directly.
Workers do need a personal email address to register with QGov and use ResHealth. Workers can access support to complete their section from the same sources as they do now when completing the paper form – they may seek support from their employer or a friend or family member. The worker section in ResHealth is mobile-friendly so workers can complete their section anywhere, on any device, such as a tablet or smart phone.
ResHealth is the new online solution for completing your Coal Mine Workers' Health Scheme health assessment (historically known as the coal board medical).
Your employer will start the process by sending you an email with a link and reference.
You will need to register and complete your section of the health assessment before attending your medical examination.
No. An employer must arrange and pay for a health assessment for you before you start work with them as a coal mine worker. Your employer, or prospective employer, will initiate your health assessment process within ResHealth. You should speak to your prospective employer about the health assessment arrangements that they will make.
Sole traders are also able to pay for health assessments.
As of 1 April, 2023 it is now mandatory to begin the booking process for Qld Coal Mine Workers Health Scheme medicals through Resources Safety and Health (Qld) (RSHQ) – officially known as ResHealth. For more information, please visit: sonichealthplus.com.au/services/qld-coal-board-medicals
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| Clinic | Phone | Online |
|---|
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