The Care Quality Commission (CQC) recently completed a review that unveiled shocking details about the care provided to Nottingham killer Valdo Calocane before his violent attacks. Calocane, who suffers from paranoid schizophrenia, tragically murdered three individuals in June 2023. The CQC’s investigation focused on the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) and highlighted significant shortcomings in the risk assessments conducted by the trust between May 2020 and September 2022.
According to the report, the NHFT downplayed crucial information about Calocane’s refusal to take medication and persistent symptoms of psychosis. Despite clear indications that Calocane was at high risk of relapsing into aggressive behavior, he was discharged back to his GP in 2022. The CQC described a series of errors, omissions, and misjudgments in Calocane’s care, emphasizing the failure to provide proper support and follow-up.
Chris Dzikiti, the interim chief inspector of healthcare at the CQC, expressed grave concerns about the missed opportunities to mitigate the risk Calocane posed to the public. While it is impossible to determine definitively whether the tragic events could have been prevented with better care, the report underscores the inadequate management of Calocane’s risk factors.
The victims’ families responded with profound disappointment and anger, stating that the mental health trust, along with other organizations, had “blood on their hands.” They criticized the lack of accountability among senior management within the trust and demanded answers regarding the systemic failures that led to the attacks. The families confirmed that a public inquiry would be conducted to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting expressed deep concern over the report’s findings, emphasizing the need to prevent similar failures in mental health care. The NHFT spokesperson acknowledged the report’s conclusions and highlighted significant improvements in processes and standards following the review.
The CQC report revealed that Calocane’s condition was severely deteriorating while under the trust’s care, with clear indications of acute psychosis and medication non-compliance. Had Calocane been treated under a different section of the Mental Health Act, professionals could have administered more effective and long-lasting medication or considered community-based treatment options. The report raised questions about the adequacy of the mental health support provided to individuals like Calocane, urging a reevaluation of current practices.
The tragic case of Valdo Calocane serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of effective mental health care and risk assessment protocols. The public outcry and subsequent inquiries underscore the need for greater accountability and transparency within healthcare systems to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
