Nottinghamshire NHS has refused to publish the full report into Valdo Calocane’s case.
Following the attacks in June 2023, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) investigated any possible shortcomings in the care of the attacker who fatally stabbed three people.
Valdo Calocane, a diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic, killed University of Nottingham students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, as well as school caretaker Ian Coates, in Nottingham.
The shock of the incident has prompted a close examination of the mental health systems that provided Calocane’s care.
However, despite this, the full report from the investigation has not been published. The reason given for this, to protect the attacker’s privacy.
The CQC examined the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust where it found significant shortcomings in Calocane’s treatment.
There are multiple issues in the report, including eight missed chances to prevent the attacks. Additionally, insufficient risk assessments and a lack of attention to Calocane avoiding prescribed medication.
Between 2020 and 2022, Calocane was sectioned four times, but the report highlighted a lack of follow up care upon his release. Despite professionals highlighting the danger Calocane posed, the steps taken to prevent this were minimal.
A summary of CQC’s investigation has become available but due to data protection laws, the full report remains private.
Furthermore, according to the Guardian, some records show that a doctor warned Calocane could kill years before these attacks.
Despite this report revealing multiple short fallings by the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, the review has been kept private. Relatives of the victims are angry and are contending this by highlighting the lack of accountability with it being kept private.
Barnaby Webber, Ian Coates, and Grace O’Malley-Kumar
The families claim they have a right to know exactly what went wrong and have accused the NHS of sheltering itself rather than taking responsibility for its errors.
It has also been reported that the government’s decision to withhold the evaluation from the public has caused worry that this investigation will not lead to change.
Before the summary was released, adviser Radd Seiger said on behalf of the victims’ families: “The families have already reached out to NHSE [NHS England] to strongly urge them to publish the findings in full.
“They believe it is very much in the public interest and in the interests of safety to do so. NHSE have thus far refused.”
However, an NHS England spokesperson told the Daily Mail: “Independent mental health homicide reports are commissioned by NHS England and published in line with the requirements of confidentiality and data protection legislation relating to patient information.”
The families continue to campaign for full disclosure, arguing the public cannot be sure that reforms will be implemented to stop future incidents without publicity.
Additionally they’ve argued that if healthcare systems and the police had avoided these shortcomings their loved ones’ deaths could’ve been avoided.
Wes Streeting, the health secretary, admitted there were shortcomings and agreed with the families.
The administration has promised to review mental health measures to better balance patient rights and public safety in response to these shortcomings.
The victims families are now being included in discussions of further legislation to prevent future tragedies.
The Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust did not provide a comment before time of publication.
Featured image via Nottinghamshire Police
