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This was published 2 years ago
Successful business model sets scene for SASH’s exciting expansion plans
Sponsored by Westpac
By Nina Hendy
The nation’s largest animal hospital unveils ambitious growth plans.
It never stops at Sydney’s Small Animal Hospital (SASH). Almost 20,000 pets are brought through the front doors by concerned owners every single year.
Inspired by the special bond between pets and their families, SASH handles the complex health cases that often take a whole team of highly qualified vets and nurses working together to achieve the best outcome for their furry patients.
The multi-disciplinary specialist facility is the bastion of love and devotion you could only hope for when your beloved pet needs special care. The need for this service is so great that a second hospital was opened on the Central Coast a few years ago.
Dogs were once relegated to a kennel in the backyard, but that’s not the case anymore.
“The human-animal bond has grown exponentially over the decades. They’re a very important part of the family these days,” SASH co-founder Dr Justin Wimpole says.
“For many of us, these pets are part of the family and we are willing to do whatever it takes to ensure they get better,” he says.
SASH hospitals are open 24/7, employing a team of around 370, consisting of nurses, specialist veterinarians, and support staff, across the three facilities.
“People have the expectation that they will get the best care for these special family members. In fact, people often take better care of their pets than they do their own health,” Dr Wimpole says.
But these aren’t your average hospitals, and they need more than your average funding. Advanced machines such as multiple MRI scanners and linear accelerators are hugely expensive. “Our hospital is home to specialists who have had years of extra training, and have passed additional exams to become highly skilled in their area of choice,” he says.
But client demand is strong, and growth is the only way to meet demand. A private equity firm bought a minority stake in the business a couple of years ago, providing a cash injection to fund some growth. An Adelaide site recently opened, taking the number of sites to three, and hospitals in other states are on the cards.
But Dr Wimpole and his co-founders have mapped out an ambitious plan to expand the successful business model into other parts of Sydney, too. It’s a pandemic-proof plan to bring critical services to others in need.
Banking on business
Part of Dr Justin Wimpole’s success has been his ability to articulate this vision to his banking partner, Westpac. Transparency and trust have been crucial in fostering a strong working relationship, he says.
SASH and Westpac’s working relationship goes back to the beginning, when the business first launched in 2007. The trust and mutual respect built up over the years takes time to foster.
“We need to know that we’ve got a funding partner which shares our vision, because we’ve got significant funding requirements for large capital projects mapped out. We need great facilities that support our growing patient list,” Dr Wimpole says.
He speaks to his business banking partner almost daily as the business enters this growth phase. There’s a funding line in place to help SASH grow and identify new sites.
“Our banker at Westpac knows where we’re going and understands that we’re responsible and sustainable.”
The pandemic has been a shot in the arm of the nation’s healthcare sector – and animal hospitals aren’t immune to the radical growth phase.
In fact, “healthcare is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country,” the national head of healthcare and professional services, Westpac, Kaizaad Mehta says.
“Westpac has a national team of specialist healthcare bankers working closely with healthcare businesses growing relevant, tailored solutions to deliver a patient centric response,” Mehta says.
“It’s important that financial institutions are committed to helping businesses succeed and grow. Transparent conversations are crucial,” he says.
“Whether that’s providing repayment relief for businesses in recovery, or giving them access to flexible low-rate finance to help them capitalise on growth opportunities, it’s critical that we work alongside them, which in turn will help our economy recover.”
Whether you’re looking to grow, transform or scale up your business, Westpac is here to help make your plans happen. Chat to our specialist business bankers today to find the right solution for your business or find out how we can help at westpac.com.au/businessloanoffer