Published On: Mon, Jan 29th, 2024

Ministers order review of mental health services after triple killer’s treatment | Politics | News


The probe will look at Nottinghamshire Healthcare Foundation Trust, where he was treated for paranoid schizophrenia.

The knifeman – who butchered students Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber, both 19, and caretaker Ian Coates, 65 was sentenced to detention in a high-security hospital last week.

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins said the review will  be conducted by The Care Quality Commission (CQC).

It will be carried out alongside the Independent Mental Health Homicide Review ordered by NHS England to examine the case of Valdo Calocane.

Ms 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 in Nottinghamshire.”

Rampton Hospital – one of three high security hospitals across the country and part of the Trust – recently received an “inadequate” inspection rating from the CQC.

The government has asked the regulator to assess the progress made by the hospital to improve standards since that inspection.  

Director of Mental Health at CQC, 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. We will begin this work immediately, aiming to report to the Secretary of State before the end of March.”

Separately, last autumn, the government announced the new Health Services Safety Investigations Body will soon commence a national investigation into mental health inpatient care settings, including inpatient deaths and the transition between child and adult mental health services.

Claire Murdoch, NHS national mental health director 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. NHS England 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.”

Investigations continue at the scandal-hit hospital Highbury Hospital – where Calocane was a patient – where more than 30 staff have been suspended for mistreating patients and falsifying records.



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