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Revealed: Sydney hospitals at breaking point

FIRST ON 7: There is a desperate situation developing in Sydney hospitals for new mums and newborns needing intensive medical care.

Treating sick babies in cramped wards is now a reality, more and more often - with a 7News investigation revealing the hospitals where overcrowding is worst.

These days Shylah and Skylah are happy and healthy twins, but their premature birth sparked a fight for life - only survivable with the best of medical science.

Shylah and Skylah. Photo: 7News
Shylah and Skylah. Photo: 7News

"I don't wish this on anybody to go through what I went through," mother Taliesha Beaver said.

Their battle began when Taliesha was told no humidicribs were available at the Royal Hospital for Women, and they would need to find beds at another hospital.

"They called Brisbane, Newcastle, Canberra, Melbourne," Taliesha told 7News. "I'm in Labor and [they're] telling me 'there's no beds', why isn't something being done?"

She was transferred to Royal North Shore, grateful she did not have to fly.

A 7News Freedom of Information investigation can reveal The Children's Hospital at Westmead is Sydney's most overstretched.

Its infant Special Care beds are at 240 percent capacity, while Royal Prince Alfred is at 130 percent, and Liverpool Hospital is at 106 percent.

"The Government promised there would be better and kinder healthcare, but in government we see the opposite," Opposition Health spokesman Walt Secord said.

Transferring between hospitals isn't just a problem for babies, parents suffer too - travelling long distances for daily visits causes families distress.

In 2012, a Sydney woman was flown to Brisbane to give birth to triplets.

Lucas and Katrina Marneros with their triplets Zach, Nicholas and Kyton. Photo: 7News
Lucas and Katrina Marneros with their triplets Zach, Nicholas and Kyton. Photo: 7News

Today the Health Minister said any shortages are manageable. "I'd say to people that we're monitoring it, if we believe there is extra demand we invest in them," Jillian Skinner said.

Mother Taliesha Beaver says something needs to be done.

"There needs to be more humidicribs for these babies."

*If you've got a story get in touch investigations@seven.com.au