A psychiatrist with expertise in the field has testified that it was not a “simple” task to eliminate plastic bin liners from a mental health hospital ward where a young woman tragically ended her own life, according to court proceedings.
Alice Figueiredo, aged 22, was being treated on the Hepworth Ward at Goodmayes Hospital in Ilford, east London, at the time of her death in July 2015.
Previous court sessions have revealed that she had attempted self-harm on 18 occasions using bin bags found within the ward.
Benjamin Aninakwa, the 55-year-old ward manager, faces charges of gross negligence and manslaughter, while the North East London NHS Trust (NELFT) is charged with corporate manslaughter. Both parties have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Dr. Bradley Hillier, a consultant psychiatrist, stated at the Old Bailey that he had reviewed all documentation related to Alice’s care during her stay and evaluated the responsibilities of the ward manager.
“Ward managers don’t operate in isolation; they don’t possess unrestricted authority over the ward.
“While it may seem obvious to remove bin bags, the reality is more complex.”
Earlier testimonies from a former healthcare assistant indicated that risks persisted in the ward even after Alice’s passing.
Dr. Hillier emphasized that this reflects the complexity of the decision-making process.
“The bin bags were not taken out of the ward immediately following Alice’s death. If it had been a straightforward matter, they would have been removed right away.
“There are numerous factors that must be cautiously weighed before making such a decision, including considerations related to infection control.”
The trial is ongoing.
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