KNYSNA NEWS - A new model to establish a midwife birthing unit in Knysna to serve the Knysna and Plettenberg Bay communities has been proposed, after confirmation that the Life Knysna Private Hospital will be closing its maternity unit.
Adriaan Jordaan, West Coast regional manager for Life Healthcare, said in a statement the maternity unit will close with effect from 31 January 2023.
"This decision has been made in consultation with the hospital's Medical Advisory Committee and the supporting specialists," said Jordaan.
As a result of this, a "new and exciting" departure from standard practice will be presented to Life and Advanced clinics for the establishment of a midwife birthing unit in Knysna.
Gentler approach
Dr Douglas Seton, the only private obstetrician in Knysna/Plettenberg Bay, has been working for the last three years with practising midwife Sr Heilet van Endt.
Seton said the model has developed out of this unique and fruitful association. There are two excellent specialist neonatal facilities at George and Mossel Bay where he has been delivering preterm and high-risk pregnancies for the past 25 years.
"The overwhelming need in the Garden Route, especially Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, is for a gentler, less interventionist approach in an environment where safety is assured," he said.
The concept will involve Seton and a local GP providing obstetric guidance and back-up for a team of private, registered midwives using the home-birthing facilities at the private hospital.
Sensitive medical care for the neonates will be provided by Dr Vanessa Viljoen of Tiny to Teen medical practice.
Home-based pre- and post-delivery care is a cornerstone of the concept, with a relationship of trust being fostered between mother and midwife during the months of pregnancy.
More home births
The advent of this unit is likely to make Knysna and Plettenberg Bay the Mecca of sensitive midwifery and allow those mothers that so wish a gentler, more natural start to a new life.
"There are going to be more home births following the closure of the service at Life," said Seton.
"There has already been a death in Sedgefield about a month ago and it's not going to be the first and last one. I'm extremely concerned about this. But obviously we need to find out if the community wants the facility or if they're happy to have their birthing needs attended to by either the provincial hospital or Mediclinic George. Their labour ward is overfull and the new hospital is only due for completion in three years' time."
Reasons for unit's closure
Jordaan said the number of obstetric deliveries at the Life Knysna hospital has been consistently low over the last two years, which made it difficult to recruit and retain trained and experienced nursing teams in obstetrics.
"The hospital views this as a risk, and has, as a responsible healthcare provider, decided to close the unit," he said.
"Should a mother present at the hospital in labour, an assessment on her and the baby's condition will be carried out and, if possible, they would be transferred to the nearest private or provincial maternity unit.
"Should emergency treatment be required in the event that either the mother or her baby's life is in danger, this will be carried out at Life Knysna Private Hospital," said Jordaan.
He said the decision to close the maternity unit had not been taken lightly and the hospital believed that this is the best way forward.
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