Bloomhill Cancer Care was established 18 years ago on the Sunshine Coast to service a diverse cancer population over a large geographic area. A year ago it represented an ad-hoc model of community based cancer help. Volunteer support was and continues to be a huge component of care and services included touch therapy, counselling, some group activities and motivational morning teas.

Bloomhill is now a multidisciplinary survivorship clinic with 646 active clients and services are provided by a collaborative team with a focus on wellness. The model is patient-centred with the aim of independence and reintegration of survivors back into the community. As well as psychosocial services, Bloomhill offers educational opportunities, survivorship research, symptom management, support groups, physical rehabilitation, nutrition services and complementary care.  Activity within the Centre has significantly increased.

The Allied Health team include oncology nurses, a dietician, health psychologist, exercise physiologist, acupuncturist and an occupational therapist.  Referrals from General Practitioners are encouraged and the nursing team has a Survivorship Nurse Practitioner Candidate. Lymphoedema and Peripheral Neuropathy clinics have been established. Nursing documentation has been over-hauled and Wellness Plans utilised for new clients. A move away from paper-based documentation to electronic records allows the team to see at a glance what services are utilised, and facilitates bookings and inter- organisational communication. There is also access to a database that allows communication with treating hospitals minimising duplication.

Partnership with the University of the Sunshine Coast allows Master of Counselling interns to offer free counselling and research. Collaboration with the Cancer Council Queensland is fostering joint programs, for example educational seminars and Pilate’s programs.

There has been a focus on inclusion and equity amongst staff, with noticeable increases in staff satisfaction. It is a butterfly emerging from its crystallis .