Mental Health Trust Fined Over Death of Woman in “Death Trap” Ward
A London mental health trust has been fined more than £765,000 following the death of a 22-year-old woman who took her own life on a ward deemed a “death trap” by her mother. The case highlights systemic failures in patient safety adn raises urgent questions about the care provided within the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).
Jane Figueiredo’s daughter,Alice,died on July 7,2015,at Goodmayes Hospital in Redbridge,after 18 previous attempts to end her life. A court heard that the tragedy stemmed from the failure to remove potentially harmful items from the ward’s communal toilets,including plastic items Alice had previously used to self-harm. north East london Foundation Trust (NELFT) was found guilty of health and safety breaches following a trial at the Old Bailey, but emphasized the severity of the failings.
Alongside the trust, Benjamin Aninakwa, 54, a ward manager, was convicted of failing to ensure the safety of patients under his care. He received a six-month prison sentence,suspended for 12 months,and was ordered to complete 300 hours of unpaid work. Aninakwa, who maintained his innocence, was found to have neglected his duty of care for a period of weeks, knowing Alice was the only patient on the ward actively suicidal.
Speaking outside the Old Bailey, Jane Figueiredo described the Hepworth ward as a “fatality waiting to happen.” She stated her daughter was not afforded the “compassion, care and support” she desperately needed, but instead “failed horribly and experienced a litany of failures which crushed her spirit and ended her life.” Figueiredo emphasized that her daughter’s pleas for help were consistently ignored, “regularly shut down, silenced.” She powerfully asserted that individuals within mental health facilities are often “the least seen and heard people in our communities and society,” and their voices are too easily dismissed.
Judge Marks, in his sentencing remarks, described Alice Figueiredo as a “lovely vibrant young woman” who was “hugely talented” and possessed an “extremely” attractive personality. He lamented her death as a “terrible tragedy” and underscored the “very serious problem” posed by the accessibility of plastic items in the communal toilets. He stated that temporarily locking the area would have been a reasonable precaution,causing only “inconvenience.” The judge also criticized Aninakwa for failing to address the “major concerns” raised by Alice’s mother, concerns that “should have rung major alarm bells.”
Alice figueiredo was first admitted to the Hepworth ward in May 2012, diagnosed with a non-specific eating disorder and bipolar affective disorder.throughout her time on the acute psychiatric ward, the trust repeatedly failed to remove hazardous materials or secure the communal toilets, despite her repeated self-harm attempts. Jurors were informed that Aninakwa, already subject to a performance enhancement plan, also failed to adequately record, review, and address incidents of self-harm. Both the trust and Aninakwa denied any wrongdoing and chose not to present evidence during the trial.
The examination into Alice Figueiredo’s death commenced in 2016, but formal charges were not filed until September 2023. While NELFT was cleared of corporate manslaughter, and Aninakwa was acquitted of manslaughter by gross negligence, the convictions for health and safety breaches represent a significant outcome in a case marked by a decade-long delay.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for robust safety measures and attentive care within mental health services. It underscores the devastating consequences that can arise when patient concerns are disregarded and systemic failures are allowed to persist.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health challenges, please reach out for help.
- UK and Ireland: samaritans – Freephone 116 123, or email [email protected] or [email protected].
- US: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org.
- Australia: Lifeline – 13 11 14.
- International Helplines: befrienders.org.
