Short-term funding reprieve for community GP service

The Federal Government has thrown a $1.5 million lifeline to community health group cohealth, allowing it to extend GP services at three of its Victorian clinics facing closure over funding concerns.
 
The extension will allow time for an independent review to take place and for cohealth to take steps towards devising a long-term sustainability plan for its clinics.
 
The announcement follows a cohealth board decision to defer the shutdown of GP-led services at its Fitzroy, Collingwood and Kensington clinics and fund an extended transition period, paving the way for the Government to offer a $1.5 million bridging investment.
 
The joint-commitment will keep clinics operating until July 2026, supporting some 12,500 patients who risked losing long-standing, trusted relationships with their GPs and healthcare teams.
 
It also secures short-term stability for staff, with the company confirming that no GPs have so far lost their jobs.
 
However, this remains a short-term fix.
 
To support long-term viability, the Australian and Victorian governments will commission an independent review of cohealth’s general practice service model, governance and finances – a move welcomed by the health group.
 
Cohealth Chief Executive, Nicole Bartholomeusz, thanked the Federal Government for its support, and affirmed cohealth’s commitment to working with governments, communities and patients to design a long-term, sustainable model that honours the complexity of people’s lives and the long-standing relationships that keep them safe.
   
‘This extension means immediate continuity of care for thousands of Victorians who rely on trusted care from our doctors, nurses, and care teams who understand their lives and their needs,’ she said.
  
‘Community health is slow, human-centred work and is the kind of work that keeps people alive.
 
‘It is our communities’ courage and persistence that drives our determination to secure a permanent and sustainable future.’
 
While GP-led services will remain for now, cohealth will proceed with the closure of counselling services next month and its Collingwood pharmacy service.
 
The Collingwood site closure will also go ahead in 2026, as the ageing infrastructure of the building ‘can no longer support the standard of care our clients deserve’.
 
Federal Health and Ageing Minister Mark Butler said the Government’s funding gives certainty to cohealth’s clients while an independent review of its general practice operations is undertaken.

‘This will be welcome news for the local communities and will ensure individuals and families can continue access to essential GP services,’ he said.
 
RACGP Victoria Chair Dr Anita Muñoz said the six-month extension will save lives, but warns more must be done to ensure patients aren’t left behind.
 
‘We’re not out of the woods yet, but this is a positive step forward and we thank the Federal Government for this investment,’ she said. 
 
‘The college is more than willing to support cohealth and the Federal Government as they work together to find a long-term solution that gives patients certainty about their care options.
 
‘These clinics provide invaluable care to some of the city’s most vulnerable patient groups.
 
‘Unless we can find a way forward, many people will fall through the cracks of our health system – an avoidable tragedy that will compromise patient care.’
 
In the electorate of Maribyrnong, where the Kensington clinic is located, Federal MP Jo Briskey described it as ‘a win for our community, who refused to accept the closure of essential GP services’.
 
‘Our message has been consistent – Kensington cannot lose essential GP services, and [this] announcement shows that message has been heard.
 
‘We now expect this review to dig deep, bring transparency to cohealth’s decisions, and deliver a plan that secures these critical services remain accessible for the long haul.’
 
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