Ballito residents to protest closure of maternity, paediatric units
There's going to be a planned march on Thursday afternoon outside Netcare's Alberlito Hospital in Ballito in protest against the closure of its maternity and paediatric units.
On Monday, the hospital released a statement on the social media announcing the decision.
It said it was based on the little real demand for maternity, neonatal intensive care, and paediatric beds.
But a much smaller unit will be created for the paediatric overnight ward.
The hospital houses 37 beds collectively, 15 maternity beds, seven neonatal intensive care beds and 15 paediatric beds.
It says in the 15 years of being in service - there has been no growth in demand.
This afternoon's march organiser Shan Fourie says there is no alternative within the 30 km radius for the greater Ballito and Dolphin Coast community.
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"If you think about your child in a drowning or chocking incident if you think of getting emergency assistance 30km or even a head injury and we have been so blessed to have the hospital on our door step for the past 15 years even before I was living in Ballito."
But the hospital says the changes will not affect more than 80% of the care provide to paediatric patients.
The affected wards will be replaced with mental health services for adolescents and adults.
It's assured that its emergency department will continue to welcome children and families and paediatric day procedures will remain in place.
