Origin funder files for liquidation

The provisional liquidation application brought against the newly-established Origin Family-Centred Maternity Hospital in Panorama is set for the Western Cape High Court next month.

The application was brought before court by one of the funders of the hospital, which prides itself on giving women a tranquil environment with midwives and doulas at hand.

But, said hospital spokesperson Leverne Gething, there was an offer to buy the business, and the court application could be set aside.

Origin was the brainchild of entrepreneur Suzette Bester-Cloete (“New maternity hospital offers ‘home-like’ space for mothers”, Northern News, November 18, 2015). It promoted natural birth and offered luxurious facilities, including water births, since it opened in May.

Ms Gething said the hospital had had to stop admissions at the beginning of this month because of the application.

“To our knowledge, four clients who were due in the two weeks between then and now have since either birthed with a private midwife or with one of Origin’s back-up doctors at another hospital.

“The midwifery practice of Grove de Beer, which supports Origin, is in no way affected by the provisional liquidation application, and Origin continues to attend to its antenatal and post-natal clients as normal,” a statement said.

Ms Gething said an agreement was being drawn up between the liquidator and an interested party to take over a care-taking role until the provisional liquidation order was heard next month.

Sydney Grove, general manager of Origin, said the situation had been distressing, especially for clients. But he said they had helped women make alternative plans.

“Luckily, it is a known fact in midwifery circles that November is historically a quiet month for births. We still have 10 clients due during the remainder of this month – and another 30 set to birth in December.

“We are so sorry about the anxieties that our temporary closure caused, but are also most grateful for the ongoing support of women who continued to believe in us,” Mr Grove said.