Family says hospital failed to inform family about switching off life support machine
"They wanted a few more hours so they could all gather around his bed, say prayers and hold his hand until his heart stopped. This was not too much to ask for.”
A Mamelodi man’s family were devastated after a local hospital switched off the life support machines keeping him alive – allegedly before the family was even informed.
Reinhardt Oliphant (36) died on May 19 at the Mamelodi District Hospital.
“On the evening of Sunday, May 15, Oliphant felt a numbness on the side of his body,” said Virginia Keppler from Rea Thusa/We Help.
“An ambulance was called and it was discovered he had a mild stroke. He was then transported to Mamelodi District Hospital.”
Keppler said that a scan discovered a brain tumour and he was diagnosed as brain dead.
“The family was not in denial over the condition he was in.
“Instead, they just begged the hospital for a few more hours so they could all gather around his bed, say prayers and hold his hand until his heart stopped. This was not too much to ask for.”
However, according to Keppler, the hospital staff instead proceeded to “just coldly tell the family they switched the machines off earlier that night” and about 40 minutes later Oliphant was declared dead.
The family is traumatised and suffering a great loss.
According to Keppler, Oliphant’s family is accusing the hospital management of killing their son because they switched off his life support machine without their permission or knowledge.
“The hospital management showed no empathy towards his family. His family and parents did not want him to die alone.
“This is inhumane. It is disgraceful and an absolute shame.”
Rea Thusa/We Help has lodged a complaint with the Gauteng Department of Health on the family’s behalf.
Oliphant is survived by his parents, an 11-year-old daughter, his partner (who is seven months pregnant) and his three brothers and a sister.
Gauteng health department spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said the Mamelodi Regional Hospital management is aware of the complaint raised by the Oliphant family.
He said the department’s primary responsibility was to preserve lives.
“The loss of such a young life as that of Mr Oliphant is a great tragedy; therefore, we would like to send our deepest condolences to the family,” said Modiba.
He said the family was informed and counselled for three days regarding Oliphant’s condition, with the family’s knowledge.
“The family did consent to the process of de-escalation where Mr Oliphant was removed from breathing with ventilator machine to breathing with normal oxygen,” he said.
This means that the patient was allowed to breathe naturally until there was no sign of life.
“Clinically, once the doctors determined that the patient’s condition is irrecoverable and nothing else can be done, the doctor in charge will counsel the family and advise them on the best course of action.”
He said complaints about service can be directed to the health department at its quality assurance unit on 072 016 3224.
Complaints can also be sent to the provincial office at 0800 203 886 (toll-free), SMS: 35023 or [email protected] or [email protected].
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