Nottingham attacks spark special review of NHS trust where killer was treated for mental illness

A ‘special review’ has been ordered into the NHS trust where triple killer Valdo Calocane was treated for mental illness before he went on to stab three people.

The watchdog has been asked to report by March on its findings of an investigation into the care Calocane received at Nottinghamshire Healthcare Foundation Trust.

The 32-year-old stabbed students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar before killing school caretaker Ian Coates last June.

A judge handed down a hospital order at his sentencing for manslaughter by diminished responsibility earlier this week after the court heard he had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.

The families of the victims have questioned the care he received before the killings.

A ‘special review’ has been ordered into the NHS trust where triple killer Valdo Calocane (pictured) was treated for mental illness before he went on to stab three people

Grace O’Malley-Kumar (left) and fellow University of Nottingham student Barnaby Webber, both 19, were killed by Calocane

Calocane then stabbed Ian Coates (pictured) to death and stole his van. He mowed down three pedestrians but they all survived

Announcing the Care Quality Commission review, Health Secretary Victoria Atkins said: ‘My thoughts remain with the families and friends of Barnaby, Grace and Ian, who lost their lives in such a tragic, cruel and barbaric way.

‘It is crucial that our mental health services ensure both the care of patients and the safety of the public.

‘I hope the review provides the families and public with some much-needed answers, and that it helps the Trust to improve the standard of mental health care.’

Investigations continue at Highbury Hospital in Nottingham – where Calocane was once admitted – in the light of separate staff suspensions.

The CQC will focus on mental healthcare provision in Nottingham and has to present findings within weeks.

Rampton Hospital – one of three high security hospitals and part of the trust – recently received an ‘inadequate’ inspection rating from the watchdog.

Chris Dzikiti, of the CQC, said: ‘We will conduct a rapid review into mental health services in Nottingham to understand whether there are any practical actions which can be taken to improve the quality of services.’