In the late 1860s, only 25 years or so after Melbourne had been founded, the borough of Richmond had become a hub of manufacturing and industry, housing many of the ‘working class’.

Many of the residents were too poor to access medical care and were reliant on the generosity of ‘the medical men’, who would attend to the ‘deserving poor’ at no cost. However, the sheer volume of such cases inevitably strained resources and so, in 1868, a group of Richmond medical men banded together to establish a ‘local institution for the relief of the poor’.

The medical men volunteered their services ‘to give attendance two hours daily, at such times as would suit the objects of the institution… A general meeting held on 28 October 1868 at the Court House revealed the enthusiastic support for the medical dispensary within the community:  In March 1869, the Richmond Dispensary commenced as a community health service in Church Street, Richmond, caring for the health needs of the poor of Richmond.

Over the years it has transformed into Access Health and Community, the oldest surviving Community Health Centre in Australia. The journey from the Richmond Free Dispensary to Access Health and Community provides a snapshot of the history of community health and primary health care in Australia. It is a history of exceptional clinical care for the needy, as well as philanthropy and dedication by individuals and community.

Although the founders of the Richmond Dispensary were larger-than-life identities, many of whom have their names perpetually remembered in the street names of Richmond, many others have contributed time and energy to the organisation over the years, including individuals, politicians, a Prime Minister, State Governors, businesses and, more recently, governments.

Although the Richmond Dispensary was based on a medical practice, it quickly incorporated a range of clinical services in allied health to meet community needs. Today, its clinics are at the cutting edge of integrated care provision in Australia.

http://accesshc.org.au/app/uploads/accesshc-companyhistory-web.pdf

In the late 1860s, only 25 years or so after Melbourne had been founded, the borough of Richmond had become a hub of manufacturing and industry, housing many of the ‘working class’.

Many of the residents were too poor to access medical care and were reliant on the generosity of ‘the medical men’, who would attend to the ‘deserving poor’ at no cost. However, the sheer volume of such cases inevitably strained resources and so, in 1868, a group of Richmond medical men banded together to establish a ‘local institution for the relief of the poor’.

The medical men volunteered their services ‘to give attendance two hours daily, at such times as would suit the objects of the institution… A general meeting held on 28 October 1868 at the Court House revealed the enthusiastic support for the medical dispensary within the community:  In March 1869, the Richmond Dispensary commenced as a community health service in Church Street, Richmond, caring for the health needs of the poor of Richmond.
Over the years it has transformed into Access Health and Community, the oldest surviving Community Health Centre in Australia. The journey from the Richmond Free Dispensary to Access Health and Community provides a snapshot of the history of community health and primary health care in Australia. It is a history of exceptional clinical care for the needy, as well as philanthropy and dedication by individuals and community.

Although the founders of the Richmond Dispensary were larger-than-life identities, many of whom have their names perpetually remembered in the street names of Richmond, many others have contributed time and energy to the organisation over the years, including individuals, politicians, a Prime Minister, State Governors, businesses and, more recently, governments.
Although the Richmond Dispensary was based on a medical practice, it quickly incorporated a range of clinical services in allied health to meet community needs. Today, its clinics are at the cutting edge of integrated care provision in Australia.