A local health care provider which supports those touched by cancer will receive $426,000 from the Federal Government to ensure the continuation of services, post COVID.
Four years after the successful community campaign to ‘Save Bloomhill’, led by Federal Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien, the Federal Government has once again answered the charity’s call for support with $426,000 announced today.
The funding arrangement was brokered by LNP Member of Parliament, Ted O’Brien and will extend the charity’s funding support for an additional two years after it was set to lapse in June 2022.
The fresh funding commitment brings the total funding secured for the organisation by Mr O’Brien to $1.3 million.
Member for Fairfax, Ted O’Brien said he was proud to share the funding commitment news with Bloomhill Cancer Care staff and management team today.
“Bloomhill Cancer Care is deeply connected to the local community and the service they provide supports over a thousand families each year that are impacted by cancer,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The funding will guarantee the continuation of Bloomhill’s valuable services for another two years as it recovers from COVID-19 and implements its redevelopment plans which are essential to the organisation’s financially sustainability.”
“This funding commitment will not only support Bloomhill and its clients but will safeguard the jobs of more than 50 highly trained oncology nurses and care staff and ensure their support team are equipped to meet the increasing demand for their services.
The funding announcement comes after Bloomhill recently launched its ‘Greatest Need Appeal’ to secure funding for the continuation of the organisation’s core services.
The Charity’s recent financial challenges were caused by the onset of COVID-19 which had a severe impact on its nine local Op Shops which generate 75 percent of the organisation’s revenue.
Bloomhill Cancer Care CEO, Christopher John said he was thankful to Ted O’Brien for securing the funding.
“Bloomhill have had a long-term plan for several years to achieve sustainability through a redevelopment plan which the Australian Government supported back in 2018,” Mr John said.
“COVID has significantly impacted this plan. Without this extended funding to allow us to achieve this goal, we would have had to revert to deeper cuts to resources in re-thinking how much we could continue to deliver and if we could continue to meet the demand for our services.”
“I’m incredibly thankful for the work that Ted O’Brien has done as our Member for Fairfax as he’s a member of parliament that’s gone into bat for our organisation to assist us through an extended difficult period in the organisation’s longevity.”
By offsetting operational costs, the Federal funding will support the charity to forge ahead with plans to redevelop the property and expand its therapy rooms from 5 to 14.
Alongside a variety of efficiency measures, Bloomhill will then open its services to the wider community at market rates to generate additional income and secure ongoing financial sustainability.
The charitable service provided by Bloomhill for patients impacted by cancer will continue, with the new services for the community used to offset the costs to Bloomhill patients.
“The redevelopment of our care facilities will allow us to begin offering community-based services, with all profits associated with these treatments subsidising the support of our oncology clients,” Mr John said.