I congratulate the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Newborn Care Unit on reaching the milestone of fifty years in operation.

In half a century of service, the RPA Newborn Care Unit has committed to providing the highest quality of care to pre-term and seriously ill babies.

The department is definitely one of the busiest and most vital maternity services in our State. RPA Newborn Care runs three distinct units to allow for the most effective treatment: the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit [NICU] for babies who are critically ill, the High Dependency Unit and the Special Care Nursery.

With over 900 babies admitted to RPA Newborn Care every year, the incredible team works tirelessly to provide each baby with the very best possible start in life, including two of my three children, Archie, my first born, and Dillon, the youngest of our twins.

Beyond their initial intensive care work, staff also provide many support services to parents.

With the greatest respect and admiration I thank the staff at RPA Newborn Care. The work that they do is so incredibly important.