Mercy Health Australia

Do you want to work for an organisation that makes a real impact? For over a century, our teams have provided care for people at every age and every stage of life. Carrying that legacy forward, our Team Leader Carla Duarte fosters a similar spirit within her team of Service Coordinators and Home Care Workers. We sat down with Carla to explore her journey and how she cultivates an inclusive environment where everyone thrives. “Sometimes people might have an unrealistic expectation of what a carer looks like based on what they’ve seen on TV. We have Care Workers who are in their 20s and another one who just turned 81! I think the most important thing we’re looking for is compassion, respect and a dedication to providing care for those in need.” To find out why Carla chooses Mercy Health, follow the link: https://bit.ly/4gntcfj

Congratulations to Pauline Lawrence (Social Worker) and Leanne Egan (Allied Health Assistant) from Mercy Health Albury for their recognition at the ACHS Quality Improvement Awards 2024! Pauline and Leanne’s innovative Social Activities Reminiscing Group (SARG) is transforming care for patients in the Geriatric Evaluation Management Unit. Using evidence-based Reminiscence and Cognitive Stimulation Therapies, they are improving cognitive function, emotional well-being, and social interactions for patients living with dementia and other cognitive impairments. “The activities not only engage individuals but also provide emotional, creative, intellectual, and spiritual stimulation,” Pauline shared. With strong patient outcomes and cultural inclusivity at its core, the initiative has also been trialled successfully in palliative care settings at Albury Hospital—demonstrating its potential for broader healthcare applications. A huge congratulations to Pauline, Leanne, and the team for their dedication to improving patient care through innovation and compassion.

Steph and Dean’s journey with their daughter Abigail began unexpectedly when she arrived at just 28 weeks, weighing 1263g. At the same time, Steph faced life-threatening complications, requiring major surgery and life-saving care. Abigail spent 53 days in NICU and Special Care Nursery, where the support of Mercy Hospital for Women’s specialists made all the difference. For Steph, leaving the hospital without Abigail on Christmas Eve was one of her hardest moments. “We cherish our first family photo taken in the NICU on Christmas Day. That moment stayed with us.” Inspired to bring joy to other families, Steph, a former professional photographer, and Dean, as Santa, have returned to the NICU each Christmas they could—donating their time, resources, and free professional photos to families spending the holidays in hospital. Now thriving at 9 years old, Abigail’s story is a reminder of the incredible impact compassionate care can have on families. “We would not be a family of four today without the dream team of specialists at Mercy,” said Steph. Thank you, Steph and Dean, for turning your experience into something so meaningful for others. 

After an extraordinary career dedicated to helping others, Mary McCarthy is retiring from her role as Nurse Unit Manager after 38 years in the Emergency Department at Mercy Hospital for Women.    Mary’s contribution has touched countless lives – patients, colleagues, and the broader community. With her compassionate care, clinical expertise, and unwavering commitment, she has been a guiding light for those navigating the most challenging moments of their lives.    A career in nursing and midwifery, especially in the dynamic environment of the Emergency Department, offers endless opportunities to make a profound impact. Mary’s story is a testament to the rewarding and meaningful path this profession offers.    Thank you, Mary, for your exceptional service and for inspiring so many in the healthcare community. We wish you all the best in your well-deserved retirement. 

Please help give the greatest gift this festive season, the gift of life-changing care for women being treated for cancer at Mercy.  Donate today, https://bit.ly/3YKPpwj 

Empowering Parents: New Breastfeeding Support at Werribee Mercy Hospital At Werribee Mercy Hospital, we’ve introduced free antenatal breastfeeding classes and expanded access to breast pumps for our community. Running monthly for over a year, these face-to-face classes are designed to educate and empower parents, helping them prepare for the realities of feeding a newborn. As Amanda Mutasa, one of our Lactation Consultants, shared:  “Breastfeeding is a part of parenting. Learning about it during pregnancy can make all the difference in the postpartum journey. With the right support, families can overcome challenges and feel confident in feeding their newborns.” Additionally, with funding from Mercy Health Foundation, we’ve also purchased essential teaching tools - such as dolls, model breasts and a textbook - that enhance our breastfeeding classes and support new parents on their journey. We also now have 13 breast pumps available for hire, ensuring more families can access the tools they need to provide breast milk for their babies. We’re excited about these improvements and the positive impact they’re making for parents in our community.

Milestone Achieved: Laying the Foundation for Werribee Mercy Hospital's Emergency Department Expansion We’re excited to share a major milestone in the Emergency Department expansion project at Werribee Mercy Hospital: the slab pouring is underway! This foundation will support the delivery of exceptional healthcare for years to come, as the expanded facility will double its capacity, enabling us to treat an additional 25,000 patients annually. This is a critical step in meeting the growing healthcare needs of Melbourne’s west and highlights our commitment to providing high-quality care to the community. Thank you to everyone involved in reaching this milestone. Together, we’re building a brighter future for healthcare in our region! 

We are delighted to announce that Helena Frawley has been promoted to full professor, recognising her extraordinary contributions to women’s health research and academia. Helena leads Allied Health research at the Mercy Hospital for Women and is an Honorary Principal Fellow with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Newborn Health at the University of Melbourne. As a women’s health physiotherapy clinical researcher specialising in pelvic floor function and dysfunction, Helena’s work has had a lasting impact on the field and the lives of countless women. Professor Sue Walker shared: “Helena’s promotion recognises her amazing contributions as a clinical researcher and her outstanding academic citizenship. She is warm, generous, wise, and kind, in equal measure.” Please join us in celebrating Helena’s well-deserved promotion. Congratulations, Professor Frawley! 

At Mercy Health, our volunteers are the heart of our community. Supporting our 10,000 dedicated professionals, they play a vital role in helping us provide compassionate care every day. Your contributions touch countless lives and moments, bringing kindness, connection, and comfort to those we serve. To all our volunteers: You have a whole lot of heart. We thank you for everything you do. Where there’s life, there’s Mercy. Where there’s care, there’s YOU.

We are delighted to share that Mercy Perinatal has been nominated for the prestigious Women’s Healthcare Australasia Medal of Distinction for 2024! This nomination highlights the vital work the Mercy Perinatal team does to fulfil their mission: bringing mothers and their babies safely home. Through innovation, impactful research, and dedicated advocacy, their efforts make a lasting difference in the lives of families. To our exceptional team and all the nominees driving progress in women’s healthcare—thank you for your passion and commitment to this meaningful work.