During the July school holidays, children donned scrubs and became mini medics, thanks to a partnership between Werribee Mercy Hospital and Pacific Werribee.
The interactive and educational Werribee Ward transformed the major regional shopping centre, Pacific Werribee, into a neonatal hospital ward where children aged five to 12 got hands-on experience caring for life-like newborns.
For a gold coin donation, children were able to learn how to feed, swaddle and care for a baby in the play ward.
The City of Wyndham has one of Victoria’s highest birth rates, with almost 100 babies born each week – enough to fill four classrooms. The immersive sessions used STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths) to teach the children how to care for babies using some of the world’s most advanced baby simulators; hopefully inspiring a career in healthcare.
While the children were busy, parents gained valuable skills and information by attending some of the workshops on offer. These included baby first aid run by Tiny Hearts, baby massage lessons, and a chat with Dr Anneke Engwerda a paediatrician from Mercy Health, who provided expert advice on introducing solids to babies. Parents were able to share parenting challenges, ask questions and get advice from experts in a safe and inclusive space.
All funds raised from the Werribee Ward event will go to the Paediatric Ward at Werribee Mercy Hospital. The hospital provides comprehensive care for the people living in the City of Wyndham and events like the Werribee Ward help Werribee Mercy Hospital to continue to provide the highest quality care.
Donate to Werribee Mercy Hospital today.
Last reviewed September 18, 2023.