A new cutting-edge camera system is giving parents and carers of preterm and critically ill babies in Liverpool Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) the opportunity to view their baby in real-time when they are away from the hospital.
Liverpool Hospital is the first public site in NSW to go-live with the AngelEye camera system as part of the $930 million Liverpool Health and Academic Precinct redevelopment.
Parents can access a live feed of their baby 24 hours a day, with the NICU care team providing updates via text messages and photos.
The cameras are installed on 24 cots in the NICU, helping parents feel more connected to their babies when they cannot visit, reducing anxiety and worry caused by physical separation.
The technology provides staff with the tools to send secure, one-way communication to parents in more than 100 languages, a key benefit for south western Sydney's culturally and linguistically diverse community.
The new and expanded NICU opened in 2024 in the hospital's new contemporary Integrated Services Building, the centrepiece of the first stage of the Liverpool Health and Academic Precinct redevelopment.
The NICU includes 10 single rooms, four negative pressure rooms to isolate immuno-compromised babies and more space for parental involvement and kangaroo care (skin-to-skin contact).
In June, the Minns Government announced an additional $100 million in funding for the redevelopment, bringing the total investment to $930 million with an estimated completion in 2028.
Construction is now underway for the second stage that will include six new parent rooms for the NICU and a new multi-storey Integrated Services Building, with enhanced and integrated cancer services, new inpatient units, and women's and children's ambulatory care.
After the Coalition failed to deliver and properly fund major hospital projects across the state, Labor is making record investments into essential health services for growing communities like south western Sydney.
Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car:
"This new technology at Liverpool Hospital will give Western Sydney families greater peace of mind, helping them stay connected to their little ones when they can't be by their bedside.
"Western Sydney families deserve access to vital healthcare close to home.
"This is another example of how the Minns Labor Government is delivering world-class healthcare across the region, pairing family-focused care with the state-of-the-art infrastructure Western Sydney families deserve."
Quotes attributable to the Health Minister Ryan Park:
"Being separated for long periods from your baby in the NICU can be a considerably distressing time for parents, this livestreaming system is a simple but practical way to help ease that emotional strain.
"We know just how important these early days of a child's life are for their development, that's why we're investing in state-of-the-art clinical services like this one at Liverpool.
"The feedback we're receiving from parents has been overwhelmingly positive, and highlights the incredible work our NICU clinicians are doing every day to support families during some of the most challenging experiences of their lives."
Quotes attributable to the Member for Liverpool Charishma Kaliyanda:
"The new AngelEye camera system is giving families of vulnerable babies in Liverpool Hospital's NICU unparalleled virtual support when they can't physically be with their babies."
Quotes attributable to Member for Leppington Nathan Hagarty:
"The ability to communicate with families in many languages will help ensure parents from across our diverse south western Sydney community feel informed, connected and supported while their baby is in the NICU.''
Quotes attributable to the General Manager Liverpool Hospital Scott McGrath:
"We are excited to be the first public hospital in NSW to adopt the AngelEye camera system, and I thank the teams involved in the implementation of this wonderful project.
"Innovation is embedded in our care and is vital to transforming the healthcare and experiences of babies and their families in our new state-of-the-art NICU.''
Quotes attributable to Alexandra McCormack, mother of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit patient Rocky:
"The new camera system has made such a difference to my family.
"It has given us peace of mind when we cannot be with Rocky, because we can see him at any time via our devices.''
Quotes attributable to the Director Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Liverpool Hospital, Dr Nele Legge:
"We encourage parents to visit their babies as much as possible but believe the AngelEye system will provide comfort and reassurance during those times when they are cannot be with their babies due to work or family commitments.
"The cameras provide secure, one-way messaging and live streams of the baby which helps to encourage bonding, reduces stress for the parents, supports family-centred care and helps to integrate parents into the care team."
