This year marks Liverpool Hospital’s 21st anniversary of caring for babies who are born prematurely or who require intensive care in the immediate period after birth.
Liverpool Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Director Dr Jacqueline Stack said many of the babies require respiratory support.
And while most of these babies are born prematurely, Liverpool NICU also cares for babies born at full term with complex medical needs.
“Neonatologists provide care in the 31 bed units at Liverpool Hospital which is equipped with advanced support systems, including intravenous nutrition and breathing assistance,” Dr Stack said.
Liverpool Hospital also saw over 1,181 newborns this year that have needed the help of a special care nursery (SCN) and a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
The Special Care Nursery cares for babies who do not need intensive care but require some medical support after birth.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“Our goal is to improve the baby’s health and to restore the intimate relationship between the mother and child and allow the fragile infants to develop,” Dr Stack said.[/social_quote]
This Tuesday, November 10, Miracle Babies Foundation hosts a Thank U NICU Day morning tea at 10am for the many doctors and nurses who work hard in NICU and SCN.
Miracle Babies Foundation CEO and Founder Melinda Cruz said that having a baby born too early or critically ill is devastating for the parents and in this time of need the medical team that care for them is “amazing and inspirational’’.
“Thank U NICU Day is a great way to say thank you to all the staff,’’ Ms Cruz said.
“We are all so thankful and would like to acknowledge and showcase their efforts on Thank U NICU Day.’’
The celebrations of high calibre care will continue with another morning tea ceremony at 11am on Wednesday, November 25 to celebrate 21 years of service to the families of South West Sydney and will see past patients return to express their thanks.
Liverpool Hospital’s general manager Robynne Cooke said: “Thank U NICU Day and our 21st anniversary morning tea celebration are both exceptional ways of saying thank you to all the staff on behalf of the families who are grateful for the incredible units that care for their babies at a critical time in their lives.’’
Aside from the medical assistance, Ms Cooke said there’s an incredible caring role that the staff bring to the relationship with families of children in NICU and SCU.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“Premature babies need extra monitoring, treatment and care because their bodies are not yet fully developed,’’ Ms Cooke said.[/social_quote]
“Staff not only provide crucial medical assistance but also the emotional support that newborns and their families need.”
