NHS Trust Fined £565,000 Over Patient Death on Mental Health Ward
In This Article
HIGHLIGHTS
- North-East London Foundation NHS Trust (NELFT) was fined £565,000 for health and safety breaches following the death of Alice Figueiredo at Goodmayes Hospital.
- Ward manager Benjamin Aninakwa received a six-month suspended sentence and must complete 300 hours of community service.
- The court found that the hospital failed to remove plastic bags from communal toilets, despite warnings from Figueiredo's family.
- Judge Richard Marks KC highlighted a "complete failure" to manage risks, describing the ward as a "death trap."
- Alice's mother, Jane Figueiredo, criticized the hospital's dismissive attitude towards her daughter's mental health needs.
The North-East London Foundation NHS Trust (NELFT) has been fined £565,000 following the tragic death of 22-year-old Alice Figueiredo at Goodmayes Hospital in Ilford. The court found the trust guilty of breaching health and safety regulations after Figueiredo took her own life on July 7, 2015, using plastic bags from a communal toilet on the Hepworth ward.
Failure to Address Known Risks
Despite repeated warnings from Figueiredo's family about the presence of plastic bags, the hospital failed to remove them from the communal area, which remained unlocked. Judge Richard Marks KC described the ward as a "death trap" and emphasized the "complete failure to adequately assess and manage the risk" posed by the plastic bags. The judge noted that keeping the communal area temporarily locked would have been a minor inconvenience compared to the potential risk to patients.
Ward Manager's Conviction
Benjamin Aninakwa, the ward manager, was convicted of failing to take reasonable care for the health and safety of patients. He received a six-month suspended sentence and was ordered to complete 300 hours of unpaid community service. Aninakwa, who still works at NELFT, plans to appeal his conviction. Judge Marks criticized Aninakwa for not addressing the "major concerns" raised by Figueiredo's mother, which should have "rung major alarm bells."
Family's Call for Change
Jane Figueiredo, Alice's mother, expressed her frustration with the hospital's dismissive attitude towards her daughter's mental health needs. She described the ward as a "fatality waiting to happen" and called for urgent changes in mental health care practices. In a victim impact statement, she highlighted the "unkindness, harshness, and indifference" her daughter faced from some staff members.
Trust's Response
Following the sentencing, NELFT's chief executive, Paul Calaminus, stated that he had written to the Figueiredo family to arrange a personal apology. He acknowledged the trust's financial difficulties but emphasized the importance of addressing the safety concerns raised by the case.
WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN
The outcome of this case may prompt a broader review of safety protocols in mental health wards across the UK. The significant fine imposed on NELFT highlights the legal and financial repercussions of failing to ensure patient safety. If Aninakwa's appeal proceeds, it could lead to further scrutiny of individual accountability in such cases. Mental health advocates may use this case to push for systemic changes in how mental health facilities manage and mitigate risks, potentially influencing future policy developments.
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NHS Trust Fined £565,000 Over Patient Death on Mental Health Ward
In This Article
Ethan Brooks| Published HIGHLIGHTS
- North-East London Foundation NHS Trust (NELFT) was fined £565,000 for health and safety breaches following the death of Alice Figueiredo at Goodmayes Hospital.
- Ward manager Benjamin Aninakwa received a six-month suspended sentence and must complete 300 hours of community service.
- The court found that the hospital failed to remove plastic bags from communal toilets, despite warnings from Figueiredo's family.
- Judge Richard Marks KC highlighted a "complete failure" to manage risks, describing the ward as a "death trap."
- Alice's mother, Jane Figueiredo, criticized the hospital's dismissive attitude towards her daughter's mental health needs.
The North-East London Foundation NHS Trust (NELFT) has been fined £565,000 following the tragic death of 22-year-old Alice Figueiredo at Goodmayes Hospital in Ilford. The court found the trust guilty of breaching health and safety regulations after Figueiredo took her own life on July 7, 2015, using plastic bags from a communal toilet on the Hepworth ward.
Failure to Address Known Risks
Despite repeated warnings from Figueiredo's family about the presence of plastic bags, the hospital failed to remove them from the communal area, which remained unlocked. Judge Richard Marks KC described the ward as a "death trap" and emphasized the "complete failure to adequately assess and manage the risk" posed by the plastic bags. The judge noted that keeping the communal area temporarily locked would have been a minor inconvenience compared to the potential risk to patients.
Ward Manager's Conviction
Benjamin Aninakwa, the ward manager, was convicted of failing to take reasonable care for the health and safety of patients. He received a six-month suspended sentence and was ordered to complete 300 hours of unpaid community service. Aninakwa, who still works at NELFT, plans to appeal his conviction. Judge Marks criticized Aninakwa for not addressing the "major concerns" raised by Figueiredo's mother, which should have "rung major alarm bells."
Family's Call for Change
Jane Figueiredo, Alice's mother, expressed her frustration with the hospital's dismissive attitude towards her daughter's mental health needs. She described the ward as a "fatality waiting to happen" and called for urgent changes in mental health care practices. In a victim impact statement, she highlighted the "unkindness, harshness, and indifference" her daughter faced from some staff members.
Trust's Response
Following the sentencing, NELFT's chief executive, Paul Calaminus, stated that he had written to the Figueiredo family to arrange a personal apology. He acknowledged the trust's financial difficulties but emphasized the importance of addressing the safety concerns raised by the case.
WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN
The outcome of this case may prompt a broader review of safety protocols in mental health wards across the UK. The significant fine imposed on NELFT highlights the legal and financial repercussions of failing to ensure patient safety. If Aninakwa's appeal proceeds, it could lead to further scrutiny of individual accountability in such cases. Mental health advocates may use this case to push for systemic changes in how mental health facilities manage and mitigate risks, potentially influencing future policy developments.
Images from the Web
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