Key Points
- Alice Figueiredo, 22, died by suicide at Goodmayes Hospital in Redbridge in July 2015 after multiple previous attempts using plastic bags.
- North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) was cleared of corporate manslaughter but found guilty of health and safety failings.
- Ward manager Benjamin Aninakwa, 53, was cleared of gross negligence manslaughter but convicted of failing to take reasonable care for patient safety.
- The court heard that plastic bags used in previous self-harm incidents remained accessible on the ward, despite repeated warnings and attempts.
- Alice’s family had raised concerns about her care multiple times, both verbally and in writing, but struggled to get answers after her death.
- The jury took 24 days to reach their verdicts, matching a record for British legal proceedings.
- NELFT has faced scrutiny over 20 other patient deaths in the past decade, with coroners highlighting ongoing issues in risk assessment and documentation.
- Sentencing for the trust and Aninakwa is scheduled for September.
- Alice’s family and mental health advocates stress the need for greater accountability and systemic improvements in inpatient mental health care.
A landmark trial at the Old Bailey has concluded with the North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) and a senior ward manager found guilty of health and safety failings, but cleared of manslaughter, following the tragic suicide of 22-year-old Alice Figueiredo at Goodmayes Hospital in Redbridge. The case has cast a harsh spotlight on patient safety in NHS mental health units and prompted renewed calls for reform.
What Led to Alice Figueiredo’s Death at Goodmayes Hospital?
How did Alice Figueiredo come to be in the care of NELFT?
As reported by Lizzie Dearden of The Independent, Alice Figueiredo was first admitted to the Hepworth Ward at Goodmayes Hospital in Redbridge in May 2012, diagnosed with a non-specific eating disorder and bipolar affective disorder. She was described by her family as a “bright and gifted” young woman, former head girl at her school, and a mentor to her peers. Despite her achievements, Alice struggled with severe mental health challenges and a history of self-harm, including more than ten previous suicide attempts before her death on 7 July 2015.
What were the circumstances surrounding her death?
According to BBC News, Alice took her own life using a bin bag, after previously attempting self-harm with plastic bags on 18 occasions during her five-month stay at Goodmayes Hospital. Despite this clear pattern, the court heard that plastic bags and bin liners remained accessible in communal toilets, and the ward failed to implement basic safety measures such as locking the toilets or removing dangerous items. The prosecution argued that these omissions amounted to a fundamental failure in patient care.
Why Were the NHS Trust and Ward Manager on Trial?
What charges were brought against NELFT and Benjamin Aninakwa?
As detailed by Abi Rimmer in The BMJ and confirmed by BBC News, the North East London NHS Foundation Trust and Benjamin Aninakwa, the ward manager, were charged with corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter, respectively, as well as offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act. The charges stemmed from allegations that both the trust and Aninakwa failed to protect Alice from foreseeable harm, given her known history of self-harm using plastic bags.
What was the outcome of the trial?
After a seven-month trial and 24 days of jury deliberation—a joint record in British judicial history—the trust was cleared of corporate manslaughter, and Aninakwa was acquitted of gross negligence manslaughter. However, both were found guilty of health and safety offences: the trust for failing to ensure the safety of non-employees, and Aninakwa for failing to take reasonable care for the health and safety of patients.
What Failings Did the Court Identify in Alice’s Care?
What specific shortcomings were highlighted during the trial?
The court, as reported by BBC News and the Metropolitan Police, heard that not only did staff fail to remove plastic items from communal areas, but incidents of self-harm were not properly recorded, evaluated, or addressed. There were also concerns about Aninakwa’s communication, efficiency, and leadership skills; he had previously been placed on a three-year performance improvement plan by the trust. The ward suffered from high turnover of agency staff, which further undermined the consistency and quality of care.
Alice’s mother, Jane Figueiredo, told reporters outside the Old Bailey, as quoted by Lizzie Dearden of The Independent:
“Frankly, a wounded animal would have received safer, more attentive, compassionate care at the vets than Alice received on this ward. The final months of her life was a disastrous catalogue of dehumanising, at times miserably brutalising, neglectful experiences often lacking in compassion, vigilance and even basic humanity. It does not cost NHS hospitals and their staff more to be kind, compassionate and diligent within their duties.”
How Did the NHS Trust and Staff Respond to the Verdict?
What has NELFT said about the case and the verdict?
A spokesperson for the North East London NHS Foundation Trust expressed their “deepest sympathies for the pain and heartbreak” endured by Alice’s family over the past decade, stating the trust would reflect on the verdict and its implications for mental health services. Sentencing is scheduled for September.
What did the presiding judge and Alice’s family say?
Judge Richard Marks KC, addressing Alice’s parents, said:
“It speaks volumes for both of you, and the immense love you have for Alice. I hope this provides some consolation and some closure.”
Alice’s stepfather, Max Figueiredo, emphasised:
“It has never been about revenge. It’s always been about justice, truth, and accountability. That is what has motivated us.”
What Wider Issues Did the Case Reveal About Mental Health Care in Redbridge?
Are there broader concerns about NELFT’s patient safety record?
Investigations by BBC News revealed that since Alice’s death, NELFT has faced criticism from coroners over at least 20 other patient deaths in the past decade, with consistent concerns about inadequate risk assessments and poor documentation practices. In two cases, patient records were even found to be falsified, including one instance where a deceased patient was recorded as having eaten breakfast three days after their death.
What do mental health advocates say?
Lucy Schonege, director of policy at the charity Rethink, told BBC News:
“This is a devastating reminder that we still lack a mental health system suitable for the 21st century. Patients expect to be cared for and safeguarded in inpatient settings, and we know of many similar cases where patients have been let down.”
What Happens Next for the Trust and Mental Health Policy?
What penalties could the trust face?
The sentence for corporate manslaughter can range from £180,000 to £20 million depending on the size of the organisation, though NELFT was cleared of this charge and will instead be sentenced for health and safety offences in September.
What are the implications for mental health care reform?
Alice’s family and campaigners insist that transparency and accountability are essential for driving improvements in mental health care. They continue to push for systemic changes to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
