Dalview opens maternity unit
Expectant mothers will no longer have to travel to neighbouring towns to welcome their new babies into the world.
A new maternity unit will officially open it’s doors to local moms-to-be at the Life Dalview Clinic on Wednesday, June 18.
The new unit was unveiled during a special function at the clinic on Thursday morning, last week.
In his speech, Life Healthcare CEO Andrè Meyer, relayed a heart-warming story about how the Life Dalview Clinic has come “full circle”.
“When I asked for some background information I was told this isn’t just another clinic, this is a home,” he said.
“I thought that was great, to hear that people feel just as comfortable and cared for in our clinic as they do in their own home.
“But it turned out that this really was once a private house, owned by the Goller family.”
Meyer explained how Gertie Goller, a local midwife, would drive out to the homes of her patients and deliver their babies.
“But since her patients were spread far and wide, she came up with a plan to transform her own home into a delivery ward,” he said.
“Then instead of wasting time driving and only seeing her patients occasionally, she brought them all together under one roof where she could give them immediate attention at any time.”
The family home became the Goller Nursing Home.
“Then the cunning doctors of Brakpan had an ingenious idea and started bringing their children to this house when they wanted to go out at night, leaving matron Goller to do the babysitting,” continued Meyer.
“Mrs Goller eventually sold the home to a group of doctors so they could set up their practice here.”
Gertie Goller’s son John (70) attended the function and helped Meyer unveil a plaque to commemorate the event.
“I am delighted that we have now added dedicated maternity facilities to the mix, especially since I now know the touching story that lies behind this clinic that really is a home,” added Meyer.
Other notable guests included physician and chairperson of the Medical Advisory Committee Dr Derrick Wilton and Dr Charles Theron — one of the first doctors to establish a practice at the clinic.
Theron’s daughter Eldri Vermeulen, who was one of the children Gertie Goller used to babysit, is now a pharmacist at the clinic.
The maternity unit will be joining the clinic’s existing specialities of orthopaedic surgery, paediatrics, gynaecology and general surgery.
The ultra-modern unit boasts 17 beds with two delivery rooms, as well as a four-bed neonatal intensive care unit.
There will also be a birth registration service, which allows parents to register their babies without visiting the Department of Home Affairs.
