Hospital trust fined 500k over death of patient

The North-East London Foundation NHS Trust was fined £565,000 for failing to protect 22-year-old Alice Figueiredo, who took her own life at Goodmayes Hospital. An Old Bailey jury found the trust and ward manager Benjamin Aninakwa guilty of health and safety offences, with Aninakwa receiving a six-month suspended sentence and a mandate to complete 300 hours of community service. The court revealed that despite warnings from Figueiredo's family, bin bags remained in the unlocked communal toilet, a known risk factor for her self-harm. Judge Richard Marks KC criticized the hospital for not adequately assessing the dangers and pointed out the lack of recorded previous self-harm attempts. Figueiredo's mother condemned the treatment of their concerns as "dismissive contempt," emphasizing the negative impact on their family.

The investigation began in 2016, but charges were not filed until September 2023, highlighting delays in accountability. The trust was acquitted of corporate manslaughter, while Aninakwa was cleared of gross negligence manslaughter. In total, the trust will pay £765,000, including costs, following the trial.