Healthcare worker from Derbyshire admits neglect of patient

Sylvia Quaye-Mensah, 42, changed her plea on what would have been the first day of her trial

Author: Claire EmmsPublished 18th Nov 2025

A healthcare assistant has pleaded guilty to neglect after a 19-year-old patient died at a mental health hospital.

Sylvia Quaye-Mensah, 42, changed her plea on what would have been the first day of her trial at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday.

The defendant, of Monsall Avenue in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, admitted ill-treatment or neglect by a care worker "by failing to undertake required observations" of Louise Furlong.

Ms Furlong died at Highbury Hospital in Nottingham on September 12 2022 the day after an incident happened.

The exact nature of the incident has not been confirmed.

Quaye-Mensah, who stood in the dock wearing a grey zipped jacket over a black top, was told she will be sentenced on March 2 next year, and was granted conditional bail until then.

Judge James Sampson told the defendant: "Do not read anything into the adjournment for a pre-sentence report. This case is so serious that you must prepare yourself for a custodial sentence."

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