During the year, Pacific Werribee identified an opportunity to address key issues facing its local community.

Werribee Mercy Hospital offers a range of services that extend beyond emergency care for new families, however awareness of the valuable services is not widely known. Leveraging this discovery, Pacific Werribee created the ‘Werribee Ward’ in partnership with Werribee Mercy Hospital.

The ‘Werribee Ward’ was held at Pacific Werribee where local children were given the opportunity to become mini medics learning how to care for life-like newborns in a fun, educational and interactive workshops. The centre also hosted adult workshops, providing support and education to families and soon to be parents addressing key community concerns whilst increasing the awareness of services offered by Werribee Mercy Hospital.

Baby care ward

Local children were invited to step into scrubs, don a stethoscope and become mini medics, learning about the responsibilities of caring for babies. Led by trained professionals, the sessions integrated the principles of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) utilising state-of-art baby simulators considered to be amongst the most advanced in the world.

Children were shown how to care for the life-like newborns learning how to feed, swaddle and rock a baby in the play ward. After weighing and measuring the life-like newborns, the children had the opportunity to name them and fill out their birth certificates. Before signing off for the day the mini medics faced one final challenge - a crying baby. The interactive and educational sessions provided the children with a unique school holiday experience learning valuable skills in nurturing infants whilst providing inspiration for potential careers in the medical field.

Adult workshops

In addition to the children’s activity, parents and soon-to-be mums and dads were invited to take part in education workshops hosted by key community partners and the Werribee Mercy Hospital. The sold-out sessions included:

• Introduction of solids to babies - An insightful conversation with Dr. Engwerda from Werribee Mercy Hospital delving into the introduction of solids to babies. The discussion not only provided valuable information but also included a demonstration on how to respond if a child is choking.
• Baby and children’s first aid courses – One-hour comprehensive sessions focusing on infant CPR techniques, equipping parents with lifesaving knowledge and confidence. Parents were also provided the opportunity to engage with a Wyndham City Maternal Health Nurse.
• Choking and fevers - The class equipped parents with knowledge and practical skills to respond effectively in potentially life-threatening situations. Learning techniques for managing choking incidents and understanding how to address fevers in babies, participants gained confidence and peace of mind, ensuring the well-being and safety of the little ones under their care.  
• Mental health support for parents - Guidance and expert advice to parents seeking support in managing their mental health with practical tips specifically tailored to nurture their well-being as they navigate the joys and challenges of parenting.
• The ‘Werribee Ward’ served as a powerful bridge between the local community and the hospital further cementing the centre’s position as an integral key pillar of the community.