Business
28 April, 2025
COUCH plans financial road ahead
A ROADMAP turbocharging clinical services at Cairns’ cancer centre in a bid to become a self-sustaining care hub has been released.
The business plan was requested by the Labor Party and LNP and has been sent to the Federal Minister for Health Mark Butler and key stakeholders.
It was a major action to come out of the ‘Future of COUCH Roundtable’ held on March 21 attended by federal and state politicians, health, business and city leaders.
The roundtable identified $7.5 million over five years of core funding would be required to bridge the gap before the Cancer Wellness Centre would become self-sustaining.
Five-year federal funding through the North Queensland Primary Health Network ended in March with the centre now facing an uncertain future if it were to become fully reliant on philanthropic contributions and community donations.
Cairns Organisation United for Cancer Health (COUCH) chairman Dr Scott Davis said the business plan outlined how the centre would scale up its Patient-Centred Medical Home model and transition to a General Practitioner (GP) led model specialising in cancer care.
“GPs will play the key role with a general practitioner based at the centre five days a week,” he said.
“We have one cancer care nurse and one exercise physiologist at the moment but those numbers will grow. The plan is to add dietitians, mental health and other allied health professionals.”
COUCH will continue to provide its current services including gym and custom exercise classes, oncology and lymphedema massage therapy, pilates, yoga, meditation, breath and Qi, circuit and strength classes along with a range of workshops enhancing social and peer connection.
The new model will substantially improve the coordination of care provided by COUCH and integrate seamlessly with other care providers.
