The families of those killed in the Nottingham attacks have issued a stark warning that "further disasters" are "inevitable" unless immediate action is taken, following a damning report into the mental health trust that treated the perpetrator.
Critical Failures in Care Identified
A new report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has revealed that the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust provided care that was "not always humane, dignified or high-quality". The trust was responsible for the care of Valdo Calocane between May 2020 and September 2022, before he killed Barnaby Webber, Grace O'Malley-Kumar, both 19, and Ian Coates, 65, in June 2023.
Calocane, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia, was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order in January 2024 after admitting manslaughter by diminished responsibility and attempted murder. The CQC's findings come after a series of 39 inspections carried out between May 2024 and August 2025, followed by a trust-wide leadership review last September.
Families Call for 'Urgent Intervention'
In a powerful joint statement, the families of the three victims stated: "This report confirms what families have feared for far too long: this trust is not safe and should be placed into special measures immediately." They expressed a complete loss of confidence in the trust's ability to reform itself, adding: "If it is allowed to continue unchanged, there is a real fear that further harm and further disasters are inevitable."
The families are now demanding more than promises, calling for "urgent intervention, accountability at the highest level, and protecting lives." Their call is supported by legal representatives for attack survivors Wayne Birkett and Sharon Miller.
Systemic Problems and Missed Opportunities
The CQC report found the trust in breach of regulations regarding its management and has taken enforcement action. Crucially, seven of its 18 services were rated as requiring improvement, including five core mental health services.
Greg Almond, a solicitor representing survivors, highlighted the profound concern, stating: "For the survivors... this is a deeply worrying assessment, and they can't help but be left with the feeling that nothing has been done to prevent a reoccurrence." This echoes the long list of missed opportunities to prevent Calocane's crimes that emerged after his trial.
In response, Ifti Majid, chief executive of Nottinghamshire Healthcare, said: "We accept the CQC's findings and recognise where improvement is needed... We will be addressing all areas identified in the report."
The events leading to the tragic deaths will be examined in detail during a public inquiry scheduled to begin in February. The families' urgent plea underscores a critical moment for mental health service accountability and patient safety in the UK.
