CFO pleads ‘parlous state’ of trust’s finances to reduce fine for patient death

A mental health trust has been fined £565,000 over the death of a 22-year-old, a figure reduced because the judge took into account the “parlous state” of its finances.

North East London Foundation Trust was yesterday instructed to make the payment for failing to ensure the health and safety of non-employees.

The trust was found guilty in June following the joint longest jury deliberation in English legal history, and a lengthy trial.

The charges relate to the death by suicide of mental health inpatient Alice Figueiredo, who died on a NELFT ward in 2015. The trust, and one of its ward managers, were found not guilty of greater charges of manslaughter.

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Source: HSJ, 11 November 2025