HEALTH care worker Melanie Hellebrand received an email on Sunday night which threw her life into turmoil.

The Everton nurse, who accesses in-home care for her two young children through the Department of Education, was informed that provision of the service would be abolished in the wake of a Federal Government announcement of free child care due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ms Hellebrand said her provider had told her a 50 per cent reduction in income as a result of the Federal Government package meant it had no choice but to cease the service, which has enabled a carer to look after Ms Hellebrand’s children in their own home, in an arrangement that fits with her varied nursing shifts and the children’s needs.