Help us fund the urgent priorities for premature and sick babies and children needing life-saving medical care at Mercy Health.
Werribee Mercy Hospital’s Paediatric Department desperately wants to keep families together, so no child is far from home. Mercy Hospital for Women’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit never wants to have to turn away a sick or premature baby.
Be part of something life-changing help us care for the smallest members of your community.
The Mercy Hospital for Women’s (MHW) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Special Care Nursery (SCN) cares for very sick and small babies and their parents, in Birth Suite and on the Postnatal wards.
The NICU located in Heidelberg is only one of four perinatal NICU’s in Victoria. This means that the unit is incredibly busy, caring for over 600 of the smallest and sickest babies every year.
Some parents of these premature or sick babies have to travel for hours to get the care their baby needs… and some of these babies remain in the NICU for up to three months.
Lauren, Finn and Leo in the butterfly room
Former MHW patient, Lauren, described the work of the team in the NICU as incredible and said she was given exceptional care, especially during her family’s grief. Lauren gave birth to twins, Scout and Finn in 2022. Sadly due to complications, Finn passed away.
“For us, Gemma and all the nurses and doctors stood out. Especially because they helped us with Finn’s death. That was so important, and their care was just incredible. They are kind, supportive and just good people,” Lauren says.
You don’t often expect people to treat you in a way that goes above and beyond, especially when you’ve only just met. But, this is how Lauren and her husband Leo felt towards the clinicians and the care they provided for their babies in the NICU.
Neonatologist, Dr Gemma Nesbitt, who looked after Scout and Finn says, “pre-term babies and babies born sick and unwell… most of them will go on to live wonderful, long, productive, and happy lives. We just need the resources to help more of these babies get over that step.”
Scout in hospital
Scout had a long journey ahead of her after being admitted to the NICU. She suffered multiple infections and had to be transferred to another hospital for surgery and treatment. Scout was described by her doctors as the sickest of the sick babies in Victoria.
“I think of the nurses and doctors as real-life angels. They were such a close-knit team, warm and friendly. The Mercy staff were phenomenal,” Lauren says.
Scout is about to turn two and is thriving. She is a happy, well-coordinated little girl and is adored by her older brother, Kai.
Scout, happy and healthy
Lauren and Leo are proud of the milestones that Scout has reached and feel so lucky. And, they still think of Scout’s twin brother, Finn, every day. The family speaks about Finn and has his picture displayed throughout their home.
Sometimes Kai asks why he has a little sister and not a little brother.
“We explain to Kai that he does have a little brother. We tell him that Finn doesn’t live in his body, he lives all around us. He is in the water…he is in our hearts. But he doesn’t live in his body like Scout does. You still love him, you still know he is there, he is still your brother,” Leo explains.
Lauren and Leo cannot describe how thankful they are for the care Scout and Finn received while in the NICU.
Scout, Lauren, Leo and Kai
In 2023, over 1,600 premature and sick babies were admitted to the NICU and Special Care Nursery at MHW. Please help us to care for every child that we can, well into the future.
Scout is evidence of Mercy Health’s care first approach. She is now thriving, growing strong and are healthy.
You can be part of something life-changing. Help us care for the smallest members of your community.
Last reviewed May 21, 2024.