Terrible experience Netcare Margate

Dear Netcare Margate Hospital Management,

I am writing to formally lodge a serious complaint regarding the treatment, care and conduct I experienced during my late mother’s admission at Netcare Margate Hospital in April 2026.

My mother was admitted to Netcare Margate Hospital in April 2026 with kidney failure and was treated in ICU. She remained in ICU for approximately one week. During this period, I believed that she was gradually improving.

Sadly, my mother passed away in May 2026.

Her death has left me devastated. However, it has also left me deeply concerned about the treatment and care she received during the final weeks of her life.

Concerns regarding restraints and nursing care

During my mother’s admission, I became extremely concerned that she was being restrained continuously, including for extended periods despite nursing staff being available to monitor her.

I raised my concerns with hospital management. I was informed that the restraints were being used because my mother was confused at the time and that the intention was to prevent her from harming herself.

I understood the need to protect her if she was confused and potentially at risk. However, as her condition appeared to improve, the restraints continued.

I observed that her hands were becoming swollen and that her skin appeared extremely dry. She was also not eating and was unable to communicate properly following dialysis.

I raised these concerns because I was genuinely worried about my mother’s wellbeing and believed that she required greater care and attention.

Deterioration after being moved from ICU

My mother was subsequently transferred from ICU to a general ward.

When I visited her, I became extremely concerned because her condition appeared to have deteriorated significantly. She remained unable to communicate properly and was not eating.

Given her kidney failure, confusion and inability to communicate, I believed that she required close monitoring and appropriate medical attention.

Her condition subsequently deteriorated further and she was transferred back to ICU, where she was diagnosed with sepsis.

I remain deeply concerned about the circumstances surrounding this deterioration and whether sufficient measures were taken to protect her from further complications.

In my view, some of what happened to my mother could potentially have been avoided if proper measures, safeguards and appropriate clinical precautions had been exercised, particularly given her vulnerable medical condition and inability to communicate for herself.

Concerns regarding visitors and my mother’s vulnerability

I was also extremely concerned that certain family members had allegedly arranged for a bank representative to visit my mother while she was in hospital.

At that time, my mother was confused, medically vulnerable and, according to what I observed, unable to communicate or make decisions normally.

I was extremely concerned that such a visit was permitted while she was in this condition.

It was also concerning that, even while my mother was critically ill and had been diagnosed with sepsis, there were frequent visits from external individuals who were not immediate family members.

These visitors were permitted access to my mother while she was in an extremely vulnerable medical condition.

I was particularly concerned that these visits were allowed by the treating doctor despite my mother’s condition and inability to properly communicate or protect her own interests.

I believe greater safeguards should have been exercised to protect my mother during this period.

Conduct of Dr Nokwanda Sithole

I also wish to formally complain about the conduct of Dr Nokwanda Sithole, who was involved in my mother’s treatment.

As her son, I repeatedly tried to obtain information about my mother’s condition and treatment. I was not being disrespectful or confrontational. I was simply asking questions because I was concerned about her health and could see that her condition was changing.

Instead of my concerns being treated as legitimate concerns from a son worried about his seriously ill mother, I felt that the doctor took my questions personally and felt victimised by my attempts to understand what was happening.

Following this, a meeting was organised where I was expected to apologise for asking questions about my mother’s health and treatment.

I found this extremely distressing and inappropriate.

I do not believe that a family member should be made to feel that they have done something wrong simply because they are asking questions about the health and wellbeing of a seriously ill loved one.

My questions were not intended to undermine the doctor or interfere with medical treatment. They were questions arising from genuine concern for my mother’s wellbeing.

My mother’s death

My mother ultimately passed away in May 2026.

Her death has been devastating to me.

I understand that my mother was seriously ill and that kidney failure, sepsis and other medical complications can carry significant risks. I am not a medical professional, and I am not claiming that Netcare caused her death.

However, I believe that some of the circumstances surrounding her care could potentially have been avoided if proper measures, safeguards and appropriate clinical procedures had been exercised.

What is particularly difficult for me is that during the final weeks of my mother’s life, I was left feeling that my concerns as her son were treated as a problem rather than being listened to and addressed.

My mother was vulnerable, confused, unable to communicate properly and dependent on the hospital and its medical professionals.

I expected her to be treated with dignity, compassion and appropriate care.

I also expected to be treated with respect when I raised legitimate concerns about her health.

Formal complaint