A West Australian respiratory physician’s work has been recognised with a 2026 Lung Health Legend Award.
Professor Fraser Brims, a consultant at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, was one of six leaders in respiratory medicine and research celebrated for their long-standing contributions to improving lung health for Australians.
Recipients are nominated by their peers and endorsed by Lung Foundation Australia’s Board of Directors.
Prof Brims, who is also Interim Associate Dean at Curtin Medical School, was recognised for his commitment to lung cancer policy, advocacy, patient care and leadership in dust disease and lung cancer space.
Prof Brims said he was humbled to have his work recognised by the award, which was presented last month by Governor General Sam Mostyn and that .
“At its heart, my work is about equity and quality of service for patients,” he said.
“I also retain a strong interest in occupational respiratory medicine, caring for asbestos exposed patients and I was part of the National Dust Diseases Taskforce that led to a ban on artificial stone bench tops in Australia.”
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Professor Brims is leading the Lung Cancer Clinical Quality Data Platform (LUCAP), a national organisation that aims to identify and improve unwarranted variations in care in lung cancer services and is part of the Expert Advisory Group for the implementation of the National Lung Cancer Screening Program in Australia.
“LUCAP has been working in WA for several years and has already had a very positive impact in services within WA Health,” he said.
Prof Brims said LUCAP worked so data could “speak the truth and hold health systems accountable”.
“There are some amazing high-quality clinical services in lung cancer in WA and Australia, which is fantastic but at the same time we know there is always areas to improve upon,” he said.
“If you don’t collect the data, you just don’t know where your strengths and weaknesses are.”
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