Celebrating resilience: St John of God Subiaco Hospital NICU recognises World Prematurity Day with heartwarming reunion

20 Nov 2024

The event, held on Friday 15 November, saw an incredible turnout. More than 30 former NICU babies were reunited with the many dedicated caregivers who looked after them during their first precious days, and in some instances, months of life.

The morning tea was an opportunity for parents to reconnect, share their journeys and reflect on the progress their little ones have made.

St John of God Subiaco Hospital NICU Clinical Nurse Christine Heald shared her excitement over the success of the event, saying how heartwarming it was to see the babies and witness how much they had grown and thrived.

“The energy in the room was incredible, and it was clear how much love and support these families continue to share. Events like this are a reminder of the strength, resilience and community spirit that surrounds our most vulnerable patients,” she said.

A raffle was organised as part of the event, with prizes generously donated by community supporters, including Baby Bunting which donated a major $200 prize voucher. All proceeds from the raffle will support additional NICU programs to enhance the journey for future families. The raffle will be drawn at the end of Neonatal November, in line with ongoing efforts to raise awareness about prematurity and its long term impacts.

World Prematurity Day, held annually on 17 November, is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness about preterm births and the risks of disability and mortality associated with premature birth. In Australia alone, up to 27,000 babies are born prematurely each year, and events like these hosted by St John of God Subiaco Hospital play an important part in supporting families and advocating for improved neonatal care.

This year marks a milestone for the hospital’s NICU, with the successful introduction of donor breast milk, an initiative that recently resulted in the department’s caregivers being formally recognised and awarded by the hospital for excellence in teamwork.

Additionally, the hospital’s NICU recently celebrated the first anniversary of its Tiny Star Beads program, which has already supported over 180 families by providing a tangible way to acknowledge each step in their baby's neonatal journey.

“We are incredibly proud of the strides we’ve made in advancing neonatal care at our hospital,” said Christine.

“The NICU team is committed to providing compassionate, safe and evidence-based care to every family we support, and we’re excited about what the future holds for our unit and the broader community.”

All families whose babies were being cared for in the hospital’s NICU on World Prematurity Day received a small gift from Miracle Babies and Tiny Sparks to acknowledge their remarkable and unique experience.