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Volunteer Ward Grandparents at RNSH Nicu

Published on: September 2024

Record: HANSARD-1323879322-145407

Volunteer Ward Grandparents at RNSH Nicu

Ms FELICITY WILSON (North Shore)

—Speaker In Australia every year 26,000 babies are born prematurely. The Royal North Shore Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit works around the clock to support babies and families struggling with the challenges of premature birth. I acknowledge the admirable efforts of a few North Shore locals who are volunteering as Ward Grandparents at the Royal North Shore Hospital NICU. The Ward Grandparents program first launched in 1987 and is an initiative of the not-for-profit Association for the Wellbeing of Children in Healthcare. It has become a highly regarded service in all major childrens' hospitals. Ward Grandparents offer much-needed support for families who are not always able sit with their babies for a number of reasons. They read books, offer hand cuddles, sing songs, give comfort, or simply sit with the infants. They also provide a shoulder to lean on and a friendly face for parents. So far, the Association for the Wellbeing of Children in Healthcare program has welcomed nine volunteers at Royal North Shore Hospital. I thank the volunteer Ward Grandparents and staff at Royal North Shore Hospital for their heartwarming and selfless service to our community.