The Australian Government is providing up to $1.5 million to Victoria's cohealth community health organisation, ensuring services remain open at the Collingwood, Fitzroy and Kensington sites while cohealth undertakes improvements to its operations.
This means patients, families and communities currently served by cohealth, particularly those with complex health needs, in Collingwood, Fitzroy and Kensington, will continue to get the care and support they need.
This investment follows the independent review into cohealth's services. The review found the services cohealth delivers to communities across Melbourne with complex health and social needs are highly valued. It also identified the need for changes to cohealth's governance, management and service delivery models to support long-term sustainability of the general practices.
The $1.5 million funding is time-limited and conditional for up to 12 months while cohealth, supported by North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network, makes the necessary changes in response to the independent review. Changes are expected to include a strengthening of senior management and board governance, and a new integrated and sustainable general practice model of care.
Funding will be provided via North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
"The Albanese Government, working with the Allan Government, are securing cohealth's vital general practice services in Collingwood, Fitzroy and Kensington for a further 12 months.
"Cohealth operates GP clinics across Melbourne helping disadvantaged communities by providing a range of integrated health and social support services, often at no cost, to people who may struggle to access mainstream healthcare services.
"I thank Professor Stephen Duckett, Professor John Furler, and Ms Jane Seeber for their thorough review, and the community for their interest and engagement."
Quotes attributable to Minister Shing:
"Cohealth plays a vital role in providing healthcare to communities across Melbourne - that's why it's important that this service is well-managed so that it can continue for years to come."
"We're proud to be working with the Albanese Government to ensure that cohealth can sustainably provide its services into the future."
"In light of the review's findings, we will continue to work closely with cohealth to ensure the service can demonstrate that it is accountable and transparent in delivering for the community."
Quotes attributable to Jo Briskey MP:
"Our community has been loud and clear about how important these services are, and I've worked closely with colleagues across governments to ensure they continue. I welcome this investment as it gives cohealth the opportunity - and the responsibility - to rebuild confidence and deliver the changes required.
"Keeping GP services open in Kensington is critical for local patients and families, and this funding provides the certainty they need.
"Our residents deserve real progress on strengthening cohealth's governance and service model to ensure these services are sustainable into the future."
Quotes attributable to Sarah Witty MP:
"Labor governments listen and deliver. That we can keep this valued community health service operating for vulnerable members of our electorate is a big win for people in Melbourne.
"Today's announcement gives cohealth the time and funding to implement the recommendations of the review, so the people I represent can continue to access community health."
Quotes attributable to cohealth Board Chair, Sam Sondhi:
"Behind every appointment, every consultation and every clinic is a person, a family and a community relying on these services for their health and wellbeing. Ensuring that care continues for the communities of Collingwood, Fitzroy and Kensington has been at the centre of every decision cohealth has made."
"Today's commitment from the Commonwealth Government, and its joint agreement with the Victoria Government and cohealth means these GP services can continue beyond 31 July - providing much-needed certainty for the people who depend on them, and for the staff and clinicians who deliver that care every day."
"Over the coming months we will work closely with community, clinicians and government to help design a stronger, more sustainable future for community-based healthcare and one that remains grounded in equity, continuity of care and the needs of the communities we serve."
