A review conducted by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has revealed a series of errors and misjudgments that led to the discharge of Valdo Calocane from mental health care, despite concerning signs and behaviors. The report highlighted that the risk Calocane posed to the public was not managed effectively, indicating systemic issues within community mental health care.
Tragically, Calocane went on to commit a violent act, resulting in the deaths of three individuals in Nottingham. Despite being diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, Calocane was discharged from mental health services due to a lack of engagement, nine months before the tragic incident. The report emphasized that there were missed opportunities to address Calocane’s risk factors and ensure proper monitoring and treatment.
The families of the victims expressed their devastation upon reading the CQC report, holding clinicians and mental health professionals accountable for the failures in Calocane’s care. They raised concerns about the accuracy of information presented to the court regarding Calocane’s condition and treatment, prompting a call for greater accountability within the mental health trust’s management team.
Furthermore, the report highlighted instances where Calocane provided misleading information and displayed little understanding or acceptance of his condition. Despite repeated concerns raised by his family regarding his deteriorating mental state, these were not always acted upon by the mental health trust. The lack of assessment regarding Calocane’s capacity to make decisions about his treatment and the failure to consider depot injections as a medication option were also criticized in the report.
In response to the findings, the CQC recommended that NHS England issue new guidance on caring for individuals with complex psychosis and paranoid schizophrenia. Marjorie Wallace, the chief executive of the mental health charity Sane, expressed grave concerns about the state of psychiatric services, emphasizing the need for a shift towards prioritizing patient rights over other considerations.
The Nottinghamshire healthcare trust’s chief executive, Ifti Majid, acknowledged the shortcomings identified in the report and outlined improvements made in processes and standards since the review. The trust has increased its efforts to engage with individuals in the community, develop crisis plans, and conduct thorough risk assessments to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Ultimately, the tragic case of Valdo Calocane serves as a stark reminder of the importance of effective mental health care and the need for continuous monitoring and support for individuals with complex conditions. The recommendations put forth in the CQC report aim to address the shortcomings identified and improve the quality of care provided to those in need.