New and expanded health and community services are available in the Yarra Ranges following the merger of community health organisations Access Health and Community (AccessHC) and Inspiro one year ago.
May 2026 marks one year since AccessHC and Inspiro merged to form a single, stronger organisation dedicated to improving health and wellbeing in our communities.
AccessHC CEO Anna Robinson said the merger has allowed the organisation to expand quality services in the region.
“Since merging, we have grown to provide more health and community services for Yarra Ranges communities, while continuing to provide the Inspiro services that the community knows and loves,” Ms Robinson said.
Key achievements of the merged organisation have included:
- Expanding child and family services in the Yarra Ranges.
- Opening the Lilydale Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (UCC).
- Investing in the renovation of 17 Clarke Street, where Inspiro Lilydale is located.
Local families have benefited from new services, with paediatric speech pathology, occupational therapy and dietetics and new parenting support programs now on offer.
“We have significantly grown our child and family services, improving access for local families, who previously had to travel, pay for private services or miss out on care,” Ms Robinson said.
“Paediatric speech pathology and occupational therapy are now available to school age children, which recognises the complexity of this life stage. In the last 12 months, we have almost doubled the amount of speech pathology on offer.”
AccessHC opened the Lilydale Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) in December 2025 at 17 Clarke Street.
In its first three months, over 2000 people in need of urgent care accessed the service and demand continues to grow month-by-month.
“Lilydale Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) has filled a gap in local services. We treat a high number of injuries, which tells us that this type of service is vital in the outer east region.” Ms Robinson said.
“Lilydale Medicare Urgent Care Clinic is bulk-billed, open for extended business hours, and people don’t need an appointment or referral.
“The clinic is helping people in the Yarra Ranges get the care they need, when and where they need it, and is reducing pressure on emergency departments.
“A merger is no easy undertaking – particularly in such a rapidly changing sector – and, while there’s still more work to be done, we are proud to be delivering these vital services for the community.”
For information about the Lilydale Medicare Urgent Care Clinic visit accesshc.org.au/urgent-care-lilydale/ or health.gov.au/urgent-care
For Media Enquiries: Contact the Communications Manager on (03) 9810 3005 or email communication@accesshc.org.au