Alice Figueiredo, a 22-year-old patient, tragically died in July 2015 while under care at Goodmayes Hospital in Ilford, east London. At the time of her death, she was being treated on the Hepworth Ward. Now, the North East London NHS Trust (NELFT) faces serious charges of corporate manslaughter. Simultaneously, Benjamin Aninakwa, the ward manager, stands accused of gross negligence and manslaughter. The case, currently being tried at the Old Bailey, has brought to light significant concerns regarding patient safety on the ward.
The court heard testimony from Dr. Bradley Hillier, a consultant psychiatrist who examined all records related to Alice's care during her admission. Dr. Hillier scrutinized the role played by the ward manager in managing Alice's care. Notably, it was revealed that Alice had attempted to harm herself 18 times using bin bags that were accessible on the ward.
"Ward managers are not really responsible for unilateral decisions. The ward isn't the personal kingdom of the ward manager." – Dr Bradley Hillier
Despite the tragic incident, bin bags remained on the ward even after Alice's death, a detail confirmed by a former healthcare assistant. The decision to keep bin bags accessible was not straightforward, illustrating the complexities involved in managing potential self-harm risks within the healthcare setting.
"Removing bin bags might seem like common sense but it is not simple." – Dr Bradley Hillier
The trial has highlighted systemic issues that persisted on the Hepworth Ward, raising questions about the protocols enforced for patient safety. Dr. Hillier's testimony emphasized that while ward managers do play a crucial role in patient care, they operate within structured guidelines and are not solely accountable for every decision made within their unit.
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