A special review into the NHS services that treated killer Valdo Calocane has detailed how failings are putting patients, staff, and the public in harm’s way.
The CQC investigation into Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) published today, ordered by the Secretary of State, used onsite inspections, testimonies, and data to assess services.
The watchdog highlighted poor access to care of the required standard, high demand for services, and staff shortages meant patients were “not always being kept safe”. It added leaders were aware of issues but were often “reactive” and not prioritising people using services.
The review published covers two of three areas including an assessment of patient safety and quality of care, plus an update on progress since the last CQC inspection at Rampton Hospital. A third section detailing interactions with Calocane is to be released in summer 2024.
Triple killer, Valdo Calocane, 32, was treated by the Trust between 2020 and 2022 in which time he disengaged from the service and stopped taking medication for his condition, paranoid schizophrenia.
Commenting on the review findings, Chris Dzikiti, CQC’s Director of Mental Health, said: “While we found some improvements, our review of Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust highlights ongoing concerns around people’s care and safety. We have set out clear recommendations for action the trust needs to take so that services provide safe care and treatment, and to protect patients, families, and the public from the risk of harm.”
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust were accused of putting patients, staff, and the public in harm’s way
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The independent healthcare regulator for England recommends a host of improvements, including ensuring patients can access crisis services and providing ongoing risk assessments.
Chris Dzikiti added, “The concerns around demand for services and access to care, staffing and leadership at NHFT must be addressed - NHS England will be supporting improvement and we will be working with them closely on this.”
Concerns about the Trust has been raised over the last five years for which most services at Rampton Hospital have been rated either inadequate or needing improvement.
In the update since the last inspection in 2023, the CQC said while some improvements have been made, safety, staffing, and leadership remain poor.
Rampton, near Retford, is one of only three high security hospitals in the UK caring for the most severely ill mental health patienTS
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Valdo Calocane was sentenced to a hospital order for killing three people in NottinghamPA
Rampton, near Retford, is one of only three high security hospitals in the UK caring for the most severely ill mental health patients.
Responding to the report, Ifti Majid, Chief Executive at Nottinghamshire Healthcare said: “We are committed to providing high quality, effective and safe care to those people who need it most, and that is why this report makes difficult reading because it is clear that sometimes we have let down patients and their families and for this, we are truly sorry.”
Valdo Calocane stabbed-to-death two students and a school caretaker in the early hours of the morning of 13th June 2023 in Nottingham city centre. He was sentenced to a Hospital Order in January.
The CPS accepted a guilty plea for manslaughter under the grounds of diminished responsibility, upsetting the victims' families who were expecting a murder trial.
A report released this week by the independent CPS watchdog found prosecutors had made the “correct decision”.