New $4.1m special care nursery completed at Albany Health Campus, Health Minister Sanderson “delighted”

A $4.1m nursery that will double the care capacity for premature babies and their mothers in the region has finished construction at the Albany Health Campus. Minister for Health Amber-Jade Sanderson announced the practical completion of the new level-two special care nursery last Thursday. Ms Sanderson said she was “delighted” the new facility was completed ahead of schedule. “In complex situations, some babies will still need to head to the metropolitan area for advanced care, however this investment means Albany now has the space and specialist support to welcome them back to the Great Southern sooner than before,” she said. The facility offers four bays for babies delivered as early as 34 weeks and will be staffed by six additional nurses. AHC welcomes more than 550 babies every year. Member for Albany Rebecca Stephens said the nursery was vital for Great Southern families who need specialist care without needing to travel to Perth. “This new $4 million nursery means more mothers and babies will be able to stay close to home, near their families and support networks in the event they are born prematurely,” she said. “The facility will now move to the commissioning phase, and I look forward to seeing the new nursery when its complete.”