Administrators reach agreement for IHCO services to resume under licence agreement

Canberra-based bulk-billing allied health and general medical practice, Interchange Health Cooperative Ltd (IHCO), will resume patient services under a licence agreement Administrators have negotiated with a private operator.

The agreement will see trading and clinical operations of the IHCO resume shortly at a date to be communicated to patients by the new operators. If patients wish to have their patient records returned before operations recommence, they can email a request to [email protected].

The recommencement of services will be welcome news for the approximately 4,900 patients under the care of IHCO at the time administrators were appointed.

IHCO operations ceased at approximately 5pm on Monday 7 April, with RSM Australia Partner Jonathon Colbran and Director Adam Cormack appointed Joint and Several Voluntary Administrators of the IHCO at a board meeting shortly thereafter.

“We understand the significant impact the sudden closure of the IHCO has had on the community – among undertaking other urgent work with the support of former volunteer Board members and our skeleton staff of former employees, we have prioritised finding an immediate solution to resume IHCO services,” Mr Colbran said.

“The return of services, while temporary, is an important step forward in providing IHCO patients with continuity of care while we seek a permanent buyer for the clinic.

“We’ve been working closely with the new operator since Friday afternoon, when the licence agreement was signed, to complete a handover of the practice. Existing patients will be contacted directly by the operator regarding the return of services, including further details regarding booking appointments, in due course.

“In the meantime patients can send enquiries to our dedicated hotline and email and we’ll ensure these are provided to the new operator.”

Administrators have been advised that the new operators will focus on prioritising patients, including those with complex health needs, including alcohol and drug dependencies, mental health concerns and chronic conditions.

Importantly, Mr Colbran said the agreement would also likely result in flow-on benefits to all IHCO creditors and jobs saved, with the private operator already engaging with the majority of former IHCO staff about possible re-employment.

Administrators will now seek a permanent buyer for the clinic – an option now available to administrators as the clinic has been licenced and recommenced operations.

Creditors impacted by the administration of the Interchange Health Cooperative Ltd are encouraged to contact RSM via email - [email protected] or phone +61 3 9286 8230.

Patients who may have questions about the administration process can contact RSM via email - [email protected] or phone +61 3 9286 8020.

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please contact 000. Alternatively, you can contact a healthcare provider, including: 

• A Medicare Urgent Care Clinic
• Opioid Treatment Services, Building 7, The Canberra Hospital, Palmer Street, Garran.  Ph:  02 5124 9977 between 8am and 5pm
• Directions Health, Level 6, Cosmopolitan Centre, Woden Square, Woden.  Ph:  02 6132 4800
• Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services (will accept First Nations clients only), 63 Boolimba Cres, Narrabundah.  Ph:  02 6284 6222
• You can also find your closest GP here.

For any media enquiries, please contact:

Jessica Whitby
[email protected]
0434 787 986