Mothers’ Hospital (also known as the Salvation Army Mothers’ Hospital) in Greyville, Durban, was a historic maternity facility.
It opened in 1923 under the Salvation Army, led by Commissioner Hay. The original building was later used as administrator’s quarters, with expansions in 1929 adding the main building and nurses’ quarters. It specialized in maternity care and was located near Greyville Racecourse, with mentions of addresses like Mitchell Crescent or opposite the racecourse in areas such as Avondale Road or Clapton Road.
Many people born in the mid-20th century (from the 1940s to 1970s) have shared memories of being delivered there. Some rooms reportedly overlooked the racecourse, and it served as a key site for births and adoptions in Durban.
Closure and Later Use
The hospital/mother-and-baby home closed around 1969. In 1970, it became a Salvation Army children’s home, which operated until about 1982. By 1981, the site had transitioned into the Allister Smith Eventide Home (an eventide or elderly care facility). The buildings no longer operate as a maternity hospital today.
Current Status and Location
The original site is no longer a functioning hospital. There are active Facebook groups where people born or adopted there share memories, stories, and photos (e.g., groups for “Mothers home Greyville” or general Durban nostalgia pages). These can be useful for personal history, adoption searches, or contacting others with shared experiences. Some suggest reaching out to the Salvation Army in South Africa for records (e.g., via their social programme contacts).
In the Greyville area today, you’ll find Ascot Park Hospital (part of Joint Medical Holdings / JMH) at 3 Ascot Street, Greyville, Durban. It is a modern private hospital with maternity and mother-and-child services, overlooking the racecourse in a boutique-style setting.