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A public inquiry has commenced to investigate the failures of mental health services and police in the lead-up to the tragic stabbings in Nottingham, where Valdo Calocane took the lives of three individuals in June 2023. The inquiry has uncovered alarming details about Calocane’s mental health management, including his mother’s desperate pleas for hospitalisation following a violent episode three years prior to the attacks.
Discerning the Early Signs
Testimonies during the inquiry revealed that Calocane, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, exhibited concerning behaviours long before the fatal incident. On 24 May 2020, he experienced a severe violent outburst, during which he was found attempting to force his way into a neighbour’s flat. Mental health professionals assessed him at the time and determined he was suffering from a psychotic episode, characterised by hallucinations and severe insomnia. Despite these alarming indicators, it was decided that he could be treated safely in the community rather than being admitted to hospital.
Counsel Rachel Langdale summarised the situation by stating that the healthcare professionals involved considered both the clinical evidence and the wider context of racial disparities in mental health care. Dr. Gandhi, one of the assessing clinicians, expressed that while he was inclined to recommend Calocane’s detention, the decision ultimately leaned towards community treatment. This raises critical questions about the appropriateness of the mental health assessments that were conducted.
A Pattern of Neglect
The inquiry has highlighted several instances where Calocane’s care fell short. Following his initial violent episode, Calocane was arrested after attempting to enter another neighbour’s flat, causing the woman to jump from a window in fear. His mother, Celeste Calocane, expressed her concerns during this period, urging for her son to receive hospital treatment due to his escalating risks to himself and others. However, mental health services failed to take decisive action, resulting in his release back into the community.
Further complicating matters, the inquiry revealed that Calocane had sent alarming messages to his family during Christmas 2022, suggesting he believed he was under the influence of “mind control technology.” This troubling belief, coupled with a concerning history of violence, raises significant questions about the adequacy of risk assessments conducted by mental health professionals.
Deteriorating Mental Health Unaddressed
As the inquiry progresses, it is becoming increasingly clear that there were significant lapses in Calocane’s ongoing care. After being discharged from the early intervention in psychosis team in September 2022, he was returned to the care of his general practitioner (GP). However, the inquiry indicates that this transition should have triggered a review of his mental health status, especially given his non-engagement with services. Messages sent by his GP requesting appointments went unanswered, leaving Calocane without medication and further disengaged from essential health services.
Langdale pointed out a “lacuna” in the monitoring of patients’ medications, noting that responsibility for managing Calocane’s prescriptions appeared to have fallen through the cracks between the GP and the mental health trust. This lack of oversight left him vulnerable and untreated, ultimately contributing to the tragic events of June 2023.
Why it Matters
The inquiry into Valdo Calocane’s case serves as a poignant reminder of the critical need for effective mental health care and the importance of timely intervention. The failures highlighted in this case not only reflect systemic issues within the healthcare system but also underscore the profound consequences that can arise when vulnerable individuals slip through the cracks of care. As the inquiry continues, it is essential to learn from these mistakes to prevent future tragedies and ensure that mental health services are equipped to support those in need before it is too late.
