NEWS: Health secretary orders urgent review

As reported by National Health Executive, Victoria Atkins instructs the CQC to conduct a special review into Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, where Valdo Calocane was treated, addressing broader mental healthcare issues following recent incidents

The CQC will have access to witness statements and oral evidence on health services which were called during the trial.

The Department of Health and Social Care has asked the CQC to move quickly and report back in March.

The review will focus on the wider issues in mental healthcare provision in Nottinghamshire at Highbury Hospital and Rampton Hospital, according to the government.

At Highbury, investigations are ongoing after recent staff suspensions – a rapid improvement plan is underway which is being presided over by a new oversight board.

The review will also investigate the progress being made at Rampton since its last CQC rating.

The government says the review will give answers to the families affected by the killings of Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar, and Ian Coates last June.

The CQC’s mental health director, Chris Dzikiti, 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 and ensure people receive safe and effective care.”

This work will go alongside the independent mental health homicide review ordered by NHS England (NHSE) to examine the case of Valdo Calocane specifically.

NHSE’s national mental health director, Claire Murdoch, said: “The killings of Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar, and Ian Coates are devastating, and my thoughts are with their families who have suffered unimaginable loss.

“It is essential that there is a thorough review that looks into all agencies involved, and to ensure appropriate action is taken.”

She continued: “NHSE is commissioning an independent investigation into the case, and we will cooperate fully with the Government’s review of the trust’s mental health services, while continuing to provide the trust with intensive support to protect patient safety in partnership with the CQC.”