March 2011
Sr Julie O’Brien (left) and Sr
Helen Monkivitch (right) with switchboard operator Ali Carroll, consultant
gynaecologist Dr Frank Chew and midwife Wendy Leggett who have all worked at
Mercy Hospital for Women for 40 years.
The cake baked to mark Mercy
Hospital for Women’s 40th anniversary.
Mercy Hospital for Women marks milestone
The hospital, formerly known as
Mercy Maternity Hospital, has enjoyed a rich history dating back 75 years when
the Sisters of Mercy made plans to establish a public maternity hospital for
Victorians.
Upon State Government approval,
a public appeal raised the target of one million dollars, allowing construction
to begin in 1966.
Premier of Victoria Sir Henry
Bolte officially opened the Mercy Maternity Hospital, equipped with modern
facilities and equipment, in 1971.
‘It was an exciting time in the
hospital’s history, delivering family-centred care while building the
hospital’s reputation as a leading public teaching hospital,’ said Director of
Leadership and Mission Sr Helen Monkivitch.
The hospital changed its name in
1990 to Mercy Hospital for Women to better reflect the diverse services
provided to the women of Victoria.
As the population expanded, the
need for services for Melbourne’s growth corridors became evident.
The Government asked Mercy
Hospital for Women to relocate to a purpose-built, state-of-the-art facility co‑located with Austin Health in
Heidelberg.
The relocation was an important
step for Mercy Health in securing the provision of world-class healthcare for
Victorians into the future, said Mercy Health Chairman Julien O’Connell.
‘Mercy Hospital for Women’s move
to Heidelberg ensured Victorian women and babies continued to receive the
highest levels of care, access to world-class facilities and a suitable
environment for patients, visitors and employees,’ said Mr O’Connell.
Today, Mercy Hospital for Women
is one of the leading providers of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services
in Australia.
‘It’s certainly an honour to be
part of the dedicated team working at Mercy Hospital for Women,’ said Executive
Director Linda Mellors.
Forty years since the hospital’s
opening in East Melbourne, women and their babies continue to receive
world-class medical care and support,’ said Dr Mellors.
‘The Sisters of Mercy have continued to play an instrumental role in the development and guidance of the hospital’s operations, staying true to founder Catherine McAuley’s vision to care for those in need,’ said Sr Helen Monkivitch.
