Families of Nottingham Attack Victims Demand Full Disclosure of NHS Report on Perpetrator’s Mental Health Care

The families of the victims of the June 2023 Nottingham attacks are urging NHS England to publish the complete independent mental health homicide report concerning Valdo Calocane, the individual responsible for the tragic events.

Background of the Incident

In June 2023, Valdo Calocane, then 33, fatally stabbed 19-year-old students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, as well as 65-year-old school caretaker Ian Coates, in a series of attacks in Nottingham. He also attempted to kill three others during this spree. Medical evaluations revealed that Calocane was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia at the time of the attacks. Consequently, he was found guilty of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility and was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order.

NHS England’s Position

NHS England has announced plans to release only an executive summary of the independent mental health homicide report, citing concerns related to patient confidentiality and data protection laws. A spokesperson for NHS England stated, “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.”

Families’ Appeal for Transparency

Representatives for the victims’ families have expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision to withhold the full report. Radd Seiger, an adviser to the families, emphasized the importance of full disclosure, stating, “The families have already reached out to 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. NHS England have thus far refused.”

Concerns Over Mental Health Care Failings

The call for transparency is underscored by previous findings that highlighted significant shortcomings in Calocane’s mental health care. A review by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) revealed that from May 2020 to September 2022, risk assessments by Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust downplayed critical issues. These included Calocane’s refusal to take medication and persistent symptoms of psychosis. The CQC report noted that some risk assessments “minimized or omitted key details,” and decisions were made to discharge Calocane back to his GP despite clear evidence of his potential for aggressive behavior.

Official Responses

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating that the deaths resulting from the attacks might have been preventable had the NHS provided appropriate care. He remarked, “The tragedy is… these deaths were preventable if the NHS had been there when it should have been.”