What we heard from you about General Practice Services and next steps

Thank you to the many clients and community members who attended our community drop-in sessions on 14 and 15 May, and to clients who have shared feedback with cohealth.

It was an opportunity for cohealth’s leaders to hear directly from community members and reflect on the experiences, uncertainty and concern many people have felt over recent months about the future of local general practice services in Collingwood, Kensington and Fitzroy.

We were pleased to share that cohealth has worked collaboratively with the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments to secure ongoing support for vital general practice services in Collingwood, Fitzroy and Kensington.

See the announcement here.

What we heard at our community sessions

• Strong appreciation for cohealth staff, including client service officers, nurses and doctors, and the care and support provided through local services.
• Suggestions to strengthen community representation and clinical expertise at Board level.
• Ideas for improving how the community advisory group connects with and reflects the broader community.
• A strong desire to see pharmacy services return to Collingwood, along with access to additional services such as dentistry, physiotherapy, and social support for older people and people with disability.
• Frustration about long wait times for GP appointments.

We also heard strongly that transparency, accountability and honest engagement were crucial to begin rebuilding trust.

There is strong community interest in the release of the findings of the Independent Review.

cohealth supports the release of the full Independent Review Report package relating to GP services in Collingwood, Fitzroy and Kensington.

As outlined in the Terms of Reference, the Independent Review report is held in confidence by the commissioning departments: the Commonwealth Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and the Victorian Department of Health.

cohealth cannot release the report independently.

cohealth remains confident in its discussions with the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments and continues to engage constructively regarding the release of the report.

Next steps

We will continue to keep you updated on the release of the Independent Review Report and future opportunities to help shape the future model of care for our general practice services.

The goal is to work together towards a stronger, more sustainable multidisciplinary model that better meets community needs over the long term.

We heard clearly through the community sessions that many of you want to remain involved in shaping what comes next, and community voices will continue to be central to this work.

In the meantime, if you have feedback or questions, please email feedback@cohealth.org.au or speak with staff at your clinic, who will be happy to assist you.

Sam Sondhi
cohealth Chair