This page helps you stay up to date with progress on the recommendations from the Independent GP services review.
The independent review into cohealth’s general practice services was jointly commissioned by the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments following cohealth’s decision in October 2025 to close GP clinics in Collingwood, Fitzroy and Kensington.
The Review published 13 recommendations to maintain local GP service access for clients and to strengthen governance and accountability at cohealth, while stabilising services, rebuilding confidence with communities, staff and clinicians and securing sustainable funding arrangements.
Primary care services in community health is a partnership between community health providers and the Victorian and Commonwealth governments.
Stay up to date with cohealth’s progress on the recommendations from the Independent General Practice services review.
Please note this progress tracker shows summarised versions of each Recommendation.
You can find the full detail and history online at cohealth.org.au/gp-review.
01Minister for Health invite cohealth to show cause that it should not hold the view cohealth is ineffectively managed.
02Allow cohealth to pool some of its current community health funding with new multidisciplinary team funding in primary care (Rec 6).
03Reconsider the proposal from cohealth for the redevelopment of their Collingwood site, or development of a nearby location.
04Extend support to cohealth for a further two-year period to allow for new (recommended) funding basis, and for cohealth to embed internal changes.
05Consider cohealth to pilot a new multidisciplinary team approach to funding, and provide them a Health Program Grant.
06Consider introducing a multidisciplinary team payment, based on the number of clients registered with MyMedicare.
07cohealth account to North Western Melbourne PHN to account for grant spend and community engagement recommendations.
08Consider funding a clear independent evaluation strategy for the pilot of multidisciplinary teams at cohealth.
09Add community health services serving high need communities to the list of area of need settings for GP training.
new update
Dr Eileen Gourley has been appointed Interim Medical Lead (Director of Primary Medical Care) while recruitment for the permanent role continues.
In progress
Working in partnership with Government and internal stakeholders to plan a standard, single model of care.
Broader reform implementation is dependent on the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments committing to Recommendations 2, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9.
In progress
Revenue targets will be developed as part of the development of a single model of care.
complete
Proposal has been re-submitted and cohealth working collaboratively with both the Victorian and Commonwealth governments on future redevelopment of site.
Progress on the redevelopment is dependent on Government’s commitment to Recommendation 3.
In progress
Work to review infrastructure assets, overheads and cost allocation has started.
complete
Letters of apology mailed to 9000 cohealth clients.
Displays of the apology are available in all three clinics.
Individually addressed emails of apology sent to all cohealth staff.
In progress
Work to review current and potential participation and engagement approaches has begun through cohealth’s existing community advisory group, with further work to continue.
In progress
Work to review staff engagement mechanisms has begun.
We are committed to applying the learnings from the Independent review and acting on the calls to strengthen and renew our governance and leadership capability. This month we have already begun:
In progress
Board member recruitment: Recruitment for new cohealth Board members is happening through a process that includes consumer/community and Victorian Government representation on the selection panel.
New Board monitor: Victorian Government appoints Chris Altis for an initial 12 month term as an independent observer to cohealth’s Board.
In progress
Recruit a new, permanent Chief Executive of cohealth: Recruitment for a new, permanent Chief Executive is underway. Kate Gillan recruited as Interim CE.
Refreshed and strengthened Executive Leadership: 100% renewal of cohealth’s executive leadership team. A number of senior leadership appointments have been made while permanent recruitment for these roles is underway. One of these leaders will focus on strengthening client participation and partnerships.
Detailed PDF updates on our actions towards the recommendations from the GP services review will be added here once they are signed off.
cohealth is a not-for-profit community health organisation. We provide essential health and support services in Melbourne’s CBD, inner-north and inner-west, and the east coast of Tasmania.
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