In 1920, the Sisters of Mercy opened St Benedict's Hospital in Malvern - Melbourne's first private hospital run by the order - marking the beginning of what would become Mercy Health. This moment emerged from a 2,000-year tradition of caring that began when Catherine McAuley founded the Sisters of Mercy in Dublin in 1831. The Sisters arrived in Australia responding to community needs, and their healthcare ministry grew from that initial hospital into a comprehensive network serving people across every stage of life.
Today, Mercy Health stands as a for-purpose Catholic organisation with over 10,000 compassionate people delivering care throughout Victoria, southern New South Wales, Queensland, and the Australian Capital Territory. The organisation encompasses two major public hospitals - Mercy Hospital for Women and Werribee Mercy Hospital - subacute hospitals in Albury and Young, 34 residential aged care homes, 10 retirement villages, and extensive home and community care services supporting thousands to live independently. Through the Mercy Health Foundation and partnerships with leading universities, the organisation continues its mission of providing compassionate care while advancing research and charitable work for those most in need.
