At the heart of The Children’s Hospital at Westmead is a place of extraordinary care and compassion: the Grace Centre for Newborn Intensive Care. Every year, more than 600 premature and critically ill newborns with complex medical or surgical needs receive lifesaving treatment in this specialised unit.  

The Grace Centre delivers world-class care for newborns and their families – care made even stronger through the generous philanthropic support of Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation (SCHF) donors. 

Unlike a maternity ward, the Grace Centre is a highly specialised neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) designed to meet the unique medical and surgical needs of babies who are unwell, including some born as early as 22 weeks’ gestation. Here, a highly skilled team provides expert, compassionate care to give every baby the best possible start to life.

What makes the Grace Centre a world-leading NICU 

The Grace Centre is one of only a few facilities in Australia equipped to care for newborns who require the highest level of specialised treatment that only a children’s hospital can provide. Each year at the Grace Centre: 

• 40% of babies require cardiac surgery 

• 40% of babies require other major surgeries 

• 20% have complex medical conditions. 

Over the past two decades, advances in care and innovation at the Grace Centre have led to significant improvements in outcomes for newborns. Survival rates have increased from 80% to more than 97%, alongside a 40% reduction in disability and significant gains in neurodevelopmental outcomes.  

“We couldn't have achieved these results without philanthropy, donors and the community getting behind us.” shares Professor Nadia Badawi, Medical Director and Co-Head of The Grace Centre for Newborn Intensive Care at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. 

The Grace Centre is also Australia’s only Newborn Individualised Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP) training centre, leading the way in neonatal developmental care. 

How SCHF supports the Grace Centre for Newborn Intensive Care 

As the official fundraising partner for the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network (SCHN), SCHF is grateful for the generosity of our donors, who play an important role in supporting world-class care across SCHN – including the Grace Centre for Newborn Intensive Care.

Thanks to this support, we are able to contribute essential funding that underpins the vital work of the Grace Centre. Donors help ensure that clinical teams have access to cutting-edge equipment, technology and specialised resources that enhance the care provided to newborns and their families. 

Through the generosity of our community – and events such as the annual Grace Gala – donors help make it possible for the Grace Centre to continue delivering the highest standard of specialised care for some of the state’s youngest and most vulnerable patients. 

“I want to thank the donors who give whatever they can. Small amounts add up so we can all be part of this big movement to give babies and children the best chance possible. They’re our future.”
— Professor Nadia Badawi, Medical Director and Co-Head of The Grace Centre for Newborn Intensive Care at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead

Looking ahead: a future full of hope 

The Grace Centre’s story is one of progress, innovation and compassion – and its future is filled with hope. As new research, technology and training continue to shape neonatal care, the Grace Centre remains at the forefront of improving outcomes for newborns across New South Wales and beyond. 

Because of donors like you, the Grace Centre has access to the specialised equipment, medical innovation, research and training programs, and family support it needs to continue advancing care. This is helping families through some of their most challenging moments. 

But the need is great, and there is still more to be done. That’s why we need you. Every donation, every fundraiser, and every act of generosity changes the future for sick kids and their families. 

How you can help support the Grace Centre 

Whether you make a one-time donation or choose to give regularly, your support can change the future for our tiniest patients.