By Alesha Capone
Demand for birthing suites at Werribee Mercy Hospital has reached capacity.
The hospital welcomed 3833 babies in 2020, while 3888 were born there in 2019.
Health services chief executive Jason Payne said Werribee Mercy Hospital’s birthing numbers had remained steady over the past two years because the birthing suites were unable to accommodate any more expectant mums.
He said at the moment, some pregnant women within the Werribee Mercy Hospital catchment are using services at public hospitals outside the area.
“The demand exists for Werribee Mercy Hospital to deliver more babies locally but this cannot occur without expanded facilities,” Mr Payne said.
“It would be preferable that local families had access to more of the best high quality and safe public birthing services at Werribee Mercy Hospital, so they don’t have to travel,” he said.
Mr Payne said planning was underway to boost the capacity of the birthing suites.
“A third stage of Werribee Mercy Hospital, which is currently in the final stages of planning, will involve the creation of more birthing suites, additional post-natal beds, and other ante and post-natal facilities, accompanied by additional midwifery and nursing staff.
“Based on demand for existing maternity services, it is projected that Werribee Mercy Hospital would be well placed to meet an anticipated increase in demand of up to 30 per cent more babies in the western metro area.”
Mr Payne said Mercy Health has been working with the Victorian Health and Human Services Building Authority and the Department of Health and Human Services since 2016 to prepare for the future needs of Werribee Mercy.
In November’s state government budget, $4.8 million in funding was allocated to finalise planning for the third stage of the Werribee Mercy Hospital’s development.
“We have acknowledged publicly the funding was a clear sign the voices of the people of the west of Melbourne are being heard and government is committed to meeting a major upgrade,” Mr Payne said.
Mercy Health Group chief executive, Adjunct Professor Stephen Cornelissen, said the next stage of Werribee Mercy Hospital’s construction required $300 million in funding “to ensure the people of Wyndham receive the level and quality of health services they deserve and need”.
