Warning: This article contains references to suicide
An NHS trust on trial following the death of a young woman at an east London hospital has been cleared of corporate manslaughter.
Alice Figueiredo, 22, took her own life while being treated at Goodmayes Hospital in July 2015.
The North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) had been charged with corporate manslaughter and was found not guilty, following a months-long trial. But it was instead found guilty of failing to ensure the health and safety of non-employees.
A not guilty verdict was also returned for hospital ward manager Benjamin Aninakwa, who was charged with gross negligence manslaughter.
Aninakwa also denied a charge of failing to take reasonable care for the health and safety of patients on the ward. He was found guilty.
The decisions were made after the joint-longest jury deliberation in English legal history.
Aninakwa was accused of failing to remove items from the ward capable of use for self-harm and failing to ensure incidents of self-harm were recorded, considered and addressed.
Ms Figueiredo was described as a bright and gifted young woman, who had been head girl at her school.
She struggled with her mental health and had been diagnosed with an eating disorder as well as bipolar affective disorder.
In February 2015, Ms Figueiredo was admitted to Hepworth Ward, an acute psychiatric unit at Goodmayes Hospital.
During her five months on the ward, the jury at the Old Bailey heard how she had attempted to harm or kill herself on 39 occasions, including 18 times with plastic bags.
Despite this, Ms Figueiredo was able to access a bag, and on 7 July she killed herself using a bag taken from a communal toilet on the ward.
The trial also heard evidence about the reporting of incidents on the hospital computer system.
Last year, Health Secretary Wes Streeting made damning remarks about NELFT at a conference of NHS leaders.
“I’m very aware of NELFT not least because NELFT has and continues to appear in the headlines for providing really poor quality care,” he said.
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Ms Figueiredo’s family visited her regularly in hospital, and repeatedly raised concerns about her care.
The jury heard how her mother, Jane Figueiredo, wrote to managers warning: “It is only a matter of time before there is a fatality on this ward.”
Campaigners believe Ms Figueiredo’s death points to wider problems with mental health care.
Deborah Coles, director of the charity Inquest, said: “I hope that irrespective of the verdict, this will send shock waves and ensure that learning and change is an absolute priority.”
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email [email protected] in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK
