THE fight to restore federal funding to a vital cancer care centre in Cairns has shifted directly to the halls of power in Canberra.
Last week Mayor Amy Eden highlighted in Canberra the positive results of a significant strategic shift in operations at the COUCH Cancer Hub NQ eight months after it lost vital federal government funding.
She met Health Minister Mark Butler’s senior adviser Jamie Snashell (pictured above right) while the minister was tied up in parliament.
Cr Eden told Jamie Snashall that since the forced transition from a government-funded model to one funded primarily by community support and revenue from new GP services, there had been a surge in demand.
The number of cancer clients using the hub’s clinical, allied health, exercise, nutrition and wellbeing support services also rose by 57% year on year. Care provided by a part-time cancer care nurse had grown rapidly with a 41% increase in the past month alone.
COUCH chairman Prof Scott Davis said he appreciated Cr Eden’s ongoing advocacy, admitting while the rising number of cancer clients and community donations supported the new business model, core government funding was fundamental to the hub’s future.
“Our results show that we are doing everything we can to run a strong, lean and effective organisation which delivers quality, affordable and accessible cancer care,” he said.
“But they also underline a simple truth: our ability to care for the community still depends on the support of the community.
“We need the federal government to show us the love in their May budget. The helping hand we need is $7.5 million over five years.”
Overall revenue for the Manoora hub, formerly COUCH Wellness Centre, increased by 11% during the year, with donations growing by 95%, almost double the previous year’s total.
It has been an outstanding year in the face of adversity for the charity which marks its 20th year in 2026 and was responsible for bringing oncology services to Cairns Hospital.
Prof Davis said hard work across all parts of the business resulted in a 10% reduction in costs, considering the pressure to keep up with rising demand fuelled by growing awareness of the evolution of the north’s leading hub for integrated cancer care.
“With only one cancer care nurse currently supporting the entire hub, this rise in need is becoming increasingly difficult to meet. Our challenge now is capacity,” he said.
The cancer hub provided 7328 episodes of care and welcomed 319 new clients through its doors in 2024-25.
“Our services are backed by research and improve patient outcomes. We’re doing everything we can in our power, but we can do more – we just need help to get there.”
