A NEW and improved St John of God Berwick Hospital will open its doors late next year.
The hospital, on Kangan Drive in Berwick, is currently under construction, and when finished, will feature a 22-bed maternity ward and a six-cot special care nursery.
The new unit will be a spacious, light and airy space which promotes calm, peace and wellbeing. The private rooms will feature comfortable beds, built-in sofa bedding for partners and roomy ensuite bathrooms. The level two special care nursery will house six cots for babies who need a little extra medical attention following birth. The hospital will also have access to 24-hour anaesthetist and paediatric care.
New parents will continue to be treated to the daily afternoon happy hour. Each afternoon a trolley laden with cakes, pastries, fruit, soft cheeses and biscuits, and beverages circulates the unit and gives parents the chance to relax and share a special moment, during what can be a very tiring time.
Patients will have access to outdoor spaces for convenient access to fresh air and there will be several communal areas for ante-natal education, grandparents classes and other such group sessions.
“There is a difference at St John of God,” maternity nurse unit manager Amanda Rentsch said.
“We have a different way of doing things that just goes that little bit further. We are currently looking at how we can further enhance the experience of pregnancy, delivery and post natal care for our families.
“My vision is that our patients have all the information, expert clinicians and facilities they need at their fingertips to make each stage of the journey as safe, easy and enjoyable as it can be. This includes once they have left us to go home, this is when the real support is often needed.”
Parents who decide to have their children at St John of God are given access to information throughout pregnancy and birth about a variety of birthing options, feeding options and also have their choice in obstetrician.
The maternity unit at the existing Gibb Street hospital is operating as usual during construction and will continue to offer maternity care right up until the opening of the new hospital.
Tours are being run each Tuesday at 8pm and Sundays at 1.30pm. Pregnancy information sessions are hosted by an obstetrician on the first Sunday of each month, at 2pm.
For further information call 9709 1400 or visit www.sjog.org.au/berwick You can also find St John of God Berwick Hospital on Facebook and Instagram #BerwickBabies
