What were the findings of the inquest into Louise Furlong's death?

The inquest found that Louise Furlong died as a result of gross negligence manslaughter by an agency healthcare assistant who failed to perform scheduled checks and falsified records.

What was the cause of death for the 19-year-old patient at Highbury Hospital?

The medical cause of death was recorded as hypoxic/ischaemic brain injury and the application of a ligature around the neck, following a period where scheduled welfare checks were missed.

What actions did the healthcare trust take after the inquest findings?

Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust accepted the jury's and coroner's findings, apologized for the substandard care, and stated they are working to improve care standards and patient involvement.

Home / Crime and Justice / Gross Negligence Manslaughter in Mental Health Care

Gross Negligence Manslaughter in Mental Health Care

21 Feb

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Summary

An inquest found gross negligence manslaughter by a healthcare assistant.
The patient died after missed welfare checks and falsified records.
The transfer to the hospital had no clear clinical rationale.

Gross Negligence Manslaughter in Mental Health Care

An inquest concluded that a 19-year-old woman's death was caused by the "gross negligence manslaughter" of an agency healthcare assistant. Louise Furlong died on September 12, 2022, at Queen's Medical Centre after being found unresponsive at Highbury Hospital the previous day.

The jury heard that healthcare assistant Sylvia Quaye-Mensah failed to conduct scheduled welfare checks and subsequently falsified records. Furlong, who had a history of self-harm and a diagnosis of emotionally unstable personality disorder, had been transferred to Highbury Hospital on September 7, 2022. The inquest jury found no clinical rationale for this transfer and noted there was no care plan or formal handover.