Meet Georgia Kate Hogan, born to proud parents John and Mel on August 11. In her first few days of life, Georgia’s having a bit of trouble learning to feed, but her mum’s not too worried. “I have a feeling she’s going to be terribly determined,” she says with a grin. “Her older sister is and so am I.”
Georgia is the subject of local media attention and even received a visit from the Sydney Adventist Hospital’s CEO, Dr Leon Clark. The reason? She is the first baby born in the hospital’s new LW Clark Tower, perfectly timed for the same day the maternity ward was moved from the old building.
The new mum gently ribs Dr Clark about having the 12-storey facility named after him: “I’ve given birth to a baby; you’ve given birth to a whole building!” she says, adding that perhaps his task was more difficult in some ways.
Dr Clark is certainly the model of a proud parent, pointing out the spectacular views from each window, the features of the patient rooms and the careful design that has gone into them. “This was my idea,” he says with a grin, drawing attention to indirect lighting that allows nurses to conduct night-time checks without unduly disturbing patients.
The new maternity ward covers two floors and increases the San’s neo/ antenatal bed capacity from 30 to 40 beds. The number of delivery suites has also increased from seven to nine.
Mrs Hogan agrees that the new facilities are nice, but she’s clear about her priorities. “Really, regardless of the view, it’s about the people,” she says, mentioning that she had her first baby at the San as well. “I came back because of the staff.”
Three floors of the LW Clark Tower are now open, as well as the adjoining multi-storey carpark. More facilities will open in coming months, with an official opening scheduled for October.
