Mercy Health Australia

This Women’s Health Week we’re sharing the story of a passionate advocate and dedicated member of Mercy Health’s Community Advisory Committee, Kristy Barnes-Cullen. When Kristy went in for her routine 20-week pregnancy scan, she wasn’t prepared for a complete placenta previa diagnosis. The serious condition led to a complicated birth, with her son Hugo born prematurely at 33 weeks and 5 days, and Kristy spending two months in the High Dependency Unit at Mercy Hospital for Women. “It was a really difficult time, but the care we received was exceptional. The nurses from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit where he was, brought him up to me in a special cot, and I met him for the first time when he was eight hours old” she says. After experiencing firsthand the impact of a long hospital stay, Kristy is now a strong advocate on Mercy Health’s Community Advisory Committee, leading the implementation of a new program for ‘long-term ante-nates’. This program brings together pregnant women who need to stay at the hospital for a long time, so they can find community and build relationships, rather than be separated in rooms across the maternity ward. “People can forget the hospital becomes your home during your pregnancy, and it’s important to create connections with those going through something similar,” she says. Eight years on, Hugo is a happy and healthy kid, and Kristy is still committed to improving the care and experience women receive in hospital. “Mercy Hospital for Women is such a unique place that provides care to women during every stage of life. Ultimately, I want to give back to the health service that saved my life and saved the life of my baby”.

Happy Women’s Health Week! At Mercy Health, we believe in empowering women to take charge of their health journey. Your voice matters. Your choices matter. All week Jean Hailes for Women's Health is releasing free resources to help you navigate important conversations - from talking to your doctor to tackling health concerns at work. Make sure you check out their page for daily program updates and information. #Womenshealthweek

The work of Mercy Health is deeply rooted in the mission of its founder Catherine McAuley, who dedicated her life to caring for poor women and children, offering education, shelter, and healthcare. In light of this, Mercy Health is proud to share that our Paediatric School Outreach Clinic (Working Together for Children) has received Catholic Health Australia’s 2024 Award for Outreach Health Care. Currently operating in primary schools in Wyndham, the Working Together for Children program is a collaboration between local health services and primary schools. Together, we provide integrated, triaged, and culturally safe paediatric services to children aged between five and 12. By placing practitioners in schools, the Working Together for Children program has removed barriers to healthcare for children and their parents in the region. This critical work is made possible thanks to the philanthropic support of the Barr Family Foundation and the Ampol Foundation. Mercy Health is delighted that this innovative program has been recognised by Catholic Health Australia, and we are immensely proud of our dedicated team the Mercy Health Paediatric School Outreach Clinic. 

Mercy Hospital for Women (MHW) medical supplies find a new home! 💚 10 isolettes from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit/Special Care Nursery at MHW have been donated to the Australian charity Medical Pantry. Medical Pantry takes used medical supplies and equipment and delivers them to underserved communities. With the support of the Mercy Health Sustainability and Engineering teams, the 10 functioning incubators will be taken to the Victoria Hospital Health Service in the Democratic Republic of Congo. You can read more about Mercy Health's commitment to sustainability in our Caring for People and Planet strategy here: https://bit.ly/3Q1JaOj

Mercy Health is delighted to share that our very own Dr Gillian Opie has been honoured as part of a tunnelling tradition associated with Melbourne’s North East Link build. As part of this long-standing ritual, a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) cannot start work until it is given a female name. Dr Opie’s name has been selected from hundreds of submissions in recognition of her ground-breaking, inspiring work, as well as her connection to Melbourne’s north-eastern suburbs. A neonatal paediatrician at Mercy Hospital for Women in Heidelberg, Dr Opie founded Victoria’s only Breastmilk Bank in 2011, providing sick and premature babies in Melbourne’s neonatal intensive care units with safe, screened donor milk. Since opening, the Mercy Health Breastmilk Bank has provided more than 4000 litres of breastmilk to thousands of recipients. The service has also expanded, with satellite sites at Monash Children’s Hospital, the Royal Children’s Hospital and the Royal Women’s Hospital. Mercy Health is extremely proud of Dr Opie’s achievements and her ongoing contributions to enhancing the care of sick and premature babies.

Yesterday, Mercy Health celebrated the sod-turning for the Emergency Department (ED) expansion at Werribee Mercy Hospital. This significant project will double the capacity of the current emergency department. Once complete and fully operational, the new ED will be able to treat an extra 25,000 patients each year. Minister for Health and Infrastructure, Mary-Anne Thomas, had the honour of turning the first sod to officially mark the start of the main works and addressing media networks on the day. "We're upgrading the emergency department at Werribee Mercy Hospital – so more locals can get the care they need, close to home in world-class facilities," she said. In attendance was Mercy Health Board Chair Virginia Bourke, Mercy Health Group CEO Angela Nolan, Chief Executive Health Services Michael Krieg and General Manager, Werribee Mercy Hospital Brad Van Ooi. They were also joined by Mathew Hilakari, Member for Point Cook, and Mark Baker, CEO BESIX Watpac. To honour the commencement of construction, a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony was conducted by proud Bunurong man, Mark Brown. The project is scheduled for completion in 2026.

Mercy Health is proud to be involved in this amazing new initiative to support cancer patients returning to the workforce after their treatment. Alongside some of Australia’s leading businesses, we’re helping to create valuable career pathways in a supportive environment. We are grateful to be part of such an impactful project that truly makes a difference.

Today, we celebrate Aged Care Employee Day! This day honours the 370,000+ aged and community care staff who provide vital support to over 1.5 million older and ageing Australians. A heartfelt thank you goes out to our dedicated Mercy Health Healthy Ageing team. From our nurses and personal care workers to allied health professionals, lifestyle coordinators, hospitality teams, drivers, cleaners and laundry teams, administration staff, maintenance teams, and many more… your contributions are truly invaluable. Your compassion and commitment make a world of difference in the lives of our residents, clients, and their families. Thank you for your unwavering commitment and the exceptional care you provide every day. #ThanksforCaring #ACED2024.

“Do not cast me off in my old age” is the theme of the Fourth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, which will take place on 28 July 2024 🧓 It’s an opportunity to celebrate the wisdom, love, and legacy of our seniors and show them just how much they mean to us. You can join in on the day by spending time with them, sharing stories, enjoying a meal together, playing games or simply enjoying each other’s company. We also take this time to acknowledge those we’ve lost; reflect on their contributions and honour their lives. Mercy Health founder Catherine McAuley was passionate about providing compassionate care to vulnerable members of the community, and that care extends to Mercy Health services today. If you would like to learn more about World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, and Pope Francis’ message, please visit The Holy See website.

This week Mercy Health celebrated NAIDOC Week, reflecting on this year’s theme ‘Keep the fire burning! Blak, Loud and Proud’.   On Wurundjeri Country, staff from Mercy Hospital for Women were honoured to participate in a Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country, led by Senior Elder Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin AO. Aunty Joy, who has a special connection with Mercy Health, also named two of our maternity clinics, Nangnak Baban Murrup and Nangnak Wan Myeek.    Mercy Hospital for Women also held a Grand Round where Aunty Professor Doseena Fergie OAM discussed the origins of NAIDOC and midwives from the Nangnak Baban Murrup clinic spoke about how they support women pregnant with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies.   Our staff at Mercy Hospital for Women and Werribee Mercy Hospital, on Bunurong Country, were delighted to support local, Aboriginal-owned business MARLIMARLI CREATIVE, through pop-up markets offering beautiful artwork prints, clothing, homewares, accessories and IYKYK line of products.   Our health sites also enjoyed Indigenous-inspired tasting stations featuring native ingredients, proudly provided by Jarrah Catering, known for their sustainable practices and dedication to creating delicious native cuisine that tells stories of the land and pays homage to Aboriginal heritage.   Across our Residential Aged Care sites, residents and staff celebrated NAIDOC week by participating in a variety of events including NAIDOC-themed Mass services, Indigenous art displays, dot-painting and damper-making sessions.    This week's events across Mercy Health also highlighted the incredible work of our Aboriginal Programs team, who support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and families, ensuring they feel safe when they come to our hospitals.