By XAVIER SMERDON
WERRIBEE Mercy Hospital is preparing for a baby boom over the next year.
The hospital recently received growth funding from the State Government that will allow it to increase maternity services to the Wyndham community.
Executive Director of Mercy Public Hospitals, Linda Mellors, said the hospital was expecting to see an increase of 20 per cent in the number of babies being born.
“Our most pressing priority is to increase maternity services access so that more women from Wyndham can choose to give birth locally,” Ms Mellors said.
“Last financial year 2230 babies were born at the hospital, up five per cent on the previous year.
“This financial year we are in the position to expand our capabilities even further, and are planning for a 20 per cent increase in birth numbers to help meet growing demand.
“This means that more than 2680 women will be able to have their babies at Werribee Mercy Hospital, which will be a record number for the hospital.”
The hospital had to turn expectant mothers away in recent times due Wyndham’s booming population.
“We are already receiving bookings to fulfil the higher number of births this year,” Ms Mellors said.
“The increased funding will extend to more obstetricians, midwives, anaesthetists and nurses, as well as allied health and support staff across our maternity unit, antenatal clinics, theatres, special care nursery and other services.”
