A NEW $14 million maternity and neonatal unit will help Werribee Mercy Hospital cater for Wyndham’s baby boom.
The unit, which was two years in the making, was opened by Health Minister David Davis and Bishop Vincent Long last week.
The redeveloped facility includes a refurbished labour delivery unit, eight extra obstetrics beds and four special care nursery cots.
All rooms have ensuite bathrooms, a built-in bath for babies and facilities designed to encourage sustainable routines for new parents when they return home.
Every special care nursery cot has space for mothers to stay by the baby’s side and provisions for both privacy and staff observation. “The extra beds will allow more local women who have uncomplicated pregnancies to give birth here at Werribee Mercy – their local hospital – close to family and friends,” Mr Davis said.
“The expansion of the special care nursery will also reduce the need to transfer newborn babies requiring extra care to other hospitals. It will also allow babies with extra needs who are born, for example, at the Royal Women’s Hospital to move closer to home with their mothers.”
Mr Davis said the hospital was introducing a new model of care to improve sustainability, strengthen quality and safety, and provide for anticipated growth.
“This new standalone postnatal ward is purposely designed to be a comfortable place for new mothers and their babies to spend the right amount of time, in the company of their families, and with the assistance of expert staff, before going home. The design of the ward will enable it to be used for alternate inpatient purposes, if necessary, as the hospital expands and services are moved around on the site.”
Mercy Public Hospitals executive director Linda Mellors said the unit had been designed to meet the needs of mothers, babies and families.
“From the smallest details to the more prominent design features, we have created a place of care, hospitality and respect that truly celebrates new life,” Dr Mellors said.
