By Alesha Capone
Werribee Mercy Hospital is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year – and has produced some impressive statistics along the way.
Since the hospital opened in 1994, its staff have cared for more than 222,576 patients, performed more than 147,000 operations and delivered more than 45,000 babies.
When Werribee Mercy opened, following the closure of Werribee District Hospital, Wyndham’s population had just passed 60,000 residents.
In comparison, Wyndham’s population is now more than 210,000.
Three staff members who have worked at Werribee Mercy since it opened – nurse unit manager for maternity Louise Thompson, assistant nurse unit manager Karen Wright and district midwife Stella Sidlow – have witnessed the hospital expand its services across the past 25 years to help cater for Wyndham’s booming population.
Ms Thompson said that in its first year, 600 babies were born at the hospital. In contrast, during the 2018-19 financial year, 3892 babies were born at Werribee Mercy.
Ms Wright has worked in the Midwifery in the Home unit for the past 14 years.
“The number of home visits we do has doubled over the past eight years, with mums going home earlier requiring more home visits,” she said.
Ms Sidlow said she enjoyed hearing feedback from families.
“(It’s) also nice when you meet someone in the community who remembers you from their previous birth or home visits to them,” she said.
