Knox Private Hospital to close down maternity unit as part of new development

Melbourne’s population may be rising, but one of the largest private hospitals is closing its maternity and neonatal units, arguing the area’s birthrate is actually declining.

Knox Private Hospital in Wantirna will soon close its maternity ward.

One of the largest private hospitals in Melbourne will close its maternity ward, blaming low birthrates.

Knox Private Hospital owner Healthscope will cease obstetric and neonatal services at the Wantirna-based hospital by July, to make way for a new emergency department.

Knox’s impending closure will mean expectant mothers’ nearest options will be the Angliss Hospital in Ferntree Gully and Mitcham Private Hospital.

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It’s part of the third stage of the Mountain Hwy hospital’s expansion, which will cost $89 million.

Its birthing suites and nursery will be replaced by a new facility offering increased emergency, cardiac and surgical services.

The hospital’s expansion into new specialties was announced in 2013 and two stages have already been completed.

Knox Private Hospital general manager Jenny Kent said the expansion plans, along with a decline in births in the hospital and the area, led to the decision to cut maternity services.

Ms Kent said births declined by 130 babies over a 12-month period and it was averaging 1.3 births a day.
“It is not possible to maintain the service with these low birth numbers,” she said.

“The hospital is also in an area where the demographics have changed and the birthrate in the area is declining.”

Hospital owners Healthscope will be focusing on emergency, cardiac and surgical services.

She said the hospital was giving a long notice period about the maternity ward’s closure to minimise disruption.

“Patients have been reassured, that if they are booked to have their baby at Knox during this period it will be all care as normal for this very special time,” she said.

Eastern Health spokeswoman Karen Fox said the organisation, which operates the Angliss, would closely monitor how Knox’s closure could impact their services.

As reported in The Australian there has been speculation Healthscope will close two of its other hospitals — Ringwood Private and Blackburn’s Bellbird Private — and relocate service to Knox.

A Healthscope spokeswoman, who declined to be named, said there was no plans to close both sites.

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