What’s happening to cohealth?
The voice
I’ve heard that the GPs at cohealth might close. I rely on these services and I’m worried. What am I supposed to do?
For many people in Collingwood and surrounding suburbs, cohealth is more than another medical clinic. It provides community-based healthcare — GPs, nurses and other health and support services — to people who may struggle to access private services.
The background
FactIn 2025, cohealth announced plans to close its general-practice services in Collingwood, Fitzroy and Kensington.
The Commonwealth and Victorian Governments subsequently commissioned an independent review into cohealth’s general-practice model, governance and finances.
The review recognised the importance of these services to communities with complex health and social needs while identifying challenges involving governance, service delivery and financial sustainability.
It produced 13 recommendations addressing both reforms within cohealth and actions involving government.
Where it stands today
FactLast updated: 30 September 2026
The Collingwood GP service is operating.
GP services at Collingwood, Fitzroy and Kensington have received additional funding allowing them to remain open until July 2027 while longer-term reforms are pursued.
There has also been a major development concerning the Collingwood site.
The Victorian Government has committed to purchasing the existing 365 Hoddle Street site for redevelopment as a new community-health hub and social-housing development.
During redevelopment, cohealth plans to relocate its Collingwood services approximately 800 metres away to 70 Trenerry Crescent, Abbotsford, beginning in December 2026.
cohealth says the existing services and staff will move to the temporary location and that it intends to return to Hoddle Street when redevelopment is completed.
The proposed redevelopment is expected to include 69 social homes.
What remains unresolved?
The building now has a pathway forward.
The remaining question is the long-term sustainability of the healthcare model itself.
Current GP funding provides continuity through July 2027 while reforms and longer-term arrangements are pursued.
The community therefore needs clarity about the sustainable model that will support GP and multidisciplinary care beyond the current funding period.
Proposed response
Proposed responseThe objective should be a sustainable long-term model rather than repeated short-term uncertainty. That means pursuing:
- sustainable funding for GP and multidisciplinary care
- implementation of the independent review recommendations
- appropriate governance and financial reforms within cohealth
- continuity of care during the temporary relocation
- meaningful community consultation
- transparent reporting on progress
- clarity about arrangements beyond July 2027
As the local MP, my role would be to keep these questions before the responsible governments and organisations, bring community concerns directly to them and publicly report progress.
Who can fix it?
Commonwealth + Victorian Governments + cohealth
The outcome we are seeking
Long-term certainty for community healthcare.
A fit-for-purpose Collingwood community-health facility together with a sustainable healthcare model that allows vulnerable residents to continue accessing the care they rely upon.
Progress tracker
Progress- Raised
- Investigating
- Action sought
- Action underway
- Resolved
- Done: Independent review completed
- Done: 13 recommendations published
- Done: GP services continuing
- Done: Additional funding through July 2027
- Done: Hoddle Street redevelopment pathway announced
- Done: Temporary Collingwood relocation identified
- Not yet: Sustainable longer-term GP model being developed
- Not yet: Longer-term funding certainty still to be established
Current status: Raised · Last updated: 30 September 2026
Sources and documents
- Independent review of cohealth general practice (Commonwealth & Victorian Governments)
- Victorian Government announcement — 365 Hoddle Street redevelopment (21 Sep 2026)
- cohealth update — GP services and temporary relocation
- Yarra City Council statement on cohealth Collingwood
Have your say
- Has cohealth affected you or someone you care for?
- Are you concerned about the temporary move?
- Is there a service you believe must be protected?
- Is something on this page incorrect or out of date?
- Do you have an experience or proposal we should hear?
The redevelopment is now moving forward. The next job is making sure the community health services people depend on move forward with it.
