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Important info for community members affected by the closure of Interchange Health Co-op

CAHMA is committed to keeping our community members informed about rapidly developing issues stemming from the immediate closure of Interchange Health Co-op on 8/4/2025. The information listed below has been received by CAHMA from ACT Health.

This page will be updated regularly as new information comes to light. If you require urgent Peer Treatment Support in relation to this issue, please contact us via phone on 6253 3643 or visit our drop in centre.

**Updated Information 11/4/2025 4pm**

The administrators of Interchange Health Co-op have put together a FAQ sheet – read it here.

**Updated Information 11/4/2025**

Please be aware that the ADS Intake line will only be able to help you with OMT medication scripts and will not be able to prescribe other medication that your regular Interchange doctor would normally prescribe (for example benzodiazepines like valium, anti-biotics, antipsychotics or any other kind).  You will have to book an appointment with another doctor to access these medications.

If you are having difficulty finding a doctor to help you with these other medications please feel free to contact CAHMA (02) 6253 3643 for support.

Please be aware that there are currently some difficulties with accessing and sending patient medical records stored at Interchange to new doctors.  There are a number of organisations working through these issues and we are hoping that a solution will be found shortly.  Pharmacists and doctors have been made aware of this issue and will use all services at their disposal to help solve these issues for you.

CAHMA understands how difficult, uncertain and anxiety causing this situation is and our hearts are with everyone affected.  If you need support please ring through to CAHMA (02) 6253 3643 and we will do our very best to help you in this difficult time.


Wednesday 9/4/2025

  • The Interchange Health Cooperative (IHCO) entered into voluntary administration at 5pm, 7 April 2025. IHCO has ceased trading, and all appointments are in the process of being cancelled. 
  • The Capital Health Network, in collaboration with the ACT Health Directorate, is working to determine alternative options to support IHCO clients in the short to medium term.  
  • Current clients of ICHO who are: receiving opioid maintenance treatment support; and need urgent access to treatment or a prescription between Monday 7th – Thursday 17th April, should call the Canberra Health Services Alcohol and Drug Service on  
    (02) 5124 9977 between the hours of 8am and 5pm to arrange alternative support. 
  • Information will be publicly communicated in coming weeks for clients of IHCO who do not need urgent access to opioid maintenance treatment about other options for accessing their treatment.  
  • Further information for other clients affected by the closure will be provided in the coming days. 

Information for OMT clients  

The ACT Government is aware that many clients supported by the Interchange Health Co-operative were receiving care and treatment for drug dependency (opioid maintenance treatment). Opioid maintenance treatment includes being provided with a prescription or in some cases being directly provided with the treatment by your doctor for the following medicines: 

  • Methadone 
  • Sublingual (under the tongue) buprenorphine 
  • Buprenorphine/naloxone  
  • Depot (injectable) buprenorphine 

If you are a current client of the Interchange Health Cooperative and need urgent treatment or support for opioid maintenance treatment in the period of Monday 7th – Friday 17th April, please call the Alcohol and Drug Service Community Health Intake line on (02) 5124 9977 between the hours of 8am and 5pm. The intake nurse will take your details, triage your situation and arrange an alternative appointment if you need urgent support.  

If you are a client of the Interchange Health Co Operative and do not need urgent access this week to treatment or a prescription for opioid maintenance treatment, information will be publicly communicated in coming weeks about other options for accessing opioid maintenance treatment.

Written by Mitch Lamb

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