Born at 25 weeks’ gestation and weighing just 601g, baby Frank left Mercy Hospital for Women (MHW) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to a hero’s farewell after a near-record 150 days in our care.
While Frank survived, his twin brother, Luka, sadly died aged nine days old.
Our NICU nurses and allied health staff wiped away tears as Frank, cradled by his mother, Amie McGillivray, and father, Florio Skratulja, made their way through a guard of honour outside the hospital on Frank’s day of discharge.
It was a momentous and emotional day for the Echuca family, whose home was also under threat as a result of the extreme floods that ravaged many towns in northern and central Victoria.
Despite the sadness of losing Luka, Amie and Florio say they will remember Friday 21 October, the day of their farewell, as a joyful occasion.
Amie says Frank’s hospital stay over five months had its highs and lows.
“It’s hard to explain the toll and pain. I know for instance my 19-year-old daughter Tori, who was home in Echuca, found it difficult being separated from us for such a long time,” Amie says.
“There were two or three occasions when we knew it was touch and go for Frank.
“We will never forget the support of the amazing NICU team, who became our guardians and friends.”
Florio Skratulja and Amie McGillivray with baby Frank
in NICU
Providing some of the most advanced neonatal care in Victoria, with specialist staff and equipment, the MHW NICU cares for many of Victoria’s smallest and sickest babies.
NICU Nurse Unit Manager Jemma Binney says regional families who relocate to Melbourne often choose to stay close to the hospital and their relationship with staff can become very close.
“It’s a privilege to be able to do this type of extraordinary, lifesaving work, and to see babies like Frank make their way home,” Jemma says.
Frank was born weighing just 601 grams
Amie and Florio say the Mercy team’s extraordinary skill helped keep Frank alive, while their compassion and kindness helped the parents remain “upbeat” during challenging times, including the day Luka died.
“We will make sure Frank knows his little brother was a fighter who gave everything he could to survive,” says Florio. “But his challenges were too great and in time we will explain that.”
In the short term, Mercy Health will continue to care for Frank through the innovative new Neonatal Hospital in the Home program at Werribee Mercy Hospital, while the family stays in nearby Altona.
Even in the last 48 hours Frank spent in NICU, being encouraged to room-in with their beautiful little boy was a wonderful moment for his parents.
“A lot of it was captured by cameras so we will have a wonderful record in the years to come, especially for Frank to look at and remember,” Amie says.
Jemma was also one of the nurses who joined the guard of honour to farewell Frank and his proud parents. As Jemma says, “At the end of the day, it is all about bringing mothers and babies safely home.”
Last reviewed December 14, 2022.