A chilling warning from a survivor of the Nottingham attacks: 'It already has happened again.'
Wayne Birkett, a survivor of the 2023 Nottingham attacks, has spoken out about his fears that a similar tragedy could unfold once more if urgent improvements aren't made to mental health services in the region. His concerns are not unfounded, as a damning report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in 2024 revealed a series of errors and misjudgments in the mental health care provided to Valdo Calocane, the perpetrator of the attacks.
Calocane, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, was responsible for the deaths of three individuals and the severe injuries of three others in a frenzied stabbing and van attack in June 2023. A lack of engagement with mental health services led to his discharge in September 2022, just nine months before the killings.
The CQC report highlighted a concerning pattern of 'errors, omissions, and misjudgments' in Calocane's care, warning that without action, these issues would continue to pose a risk to patient and public safety. Despite this, Birkett believes that little has changed since the initial report, leaving him fearful that another attack could occur.
'It's been very scary to realize that all of this could have been prevented,' Birkett said. 'I have to relearn basic tasks like reading, brushing my teeth, and using cutlery. The impact of the attack has been a nightmare, and I struggle to remember my life before June 13, 2023.'
Birkett and another survivor, Sharon Miller, will meet with the health secretary, Wes Streeting, on February 5 to highlight their concerns and call for significant intervention in Nottingham's mental health services. Their solicitor, Greg Almond, echoed their sentiments, expressing concern that the public and the NHS mental health services in Nottingham are not currently safe due to the 'continued failing' of local services.
The 2024 report revealed that Calocane was hospitalized on four occasions between May 2020 and September 2022, each time displaying threatening and assaultive behavior as a result of psychosis. Despite this, he was discharged due to a lack of engagement, leading to the tragic events of June 2023.
Birkett and Miller will also participate in a public inquiry into the attacks, aiming to uncover the truth and prevent similar incidents from happening again. Almond emphasized the need for answers from various organizations to enable the inquiry chair to provide recommendations.
The chief executive of Nottinghamshire healthcare, Ifti Majid, acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, 'We are committed to providing high-quality and safe care, and we have already made significant strides since the last CQC inspection. However, we fully understand that more work is required, and we will address all areas identified in the report.'
A government spokesperson expressed their deepest sympathies to those affected by the Nottingham attacks and highlighted the ongoing statutory inquiry to gain a clear understanding of the events leading to the attacks. The government has taken steps to prevent such horrific incidents, including reforming the Mental Health Act and ensuring that all mental health providers review and develop action plans for caring for individuals with serious mental illnesses.
The secretary of state met with the families of victims in December, and the government remains committed to delivering the necessary changes to mental health services to prevent future tragedies.
But here's where it gets controversial: Are the proposed changes enough to ensure public safety, or do we need a more drastic overhaul of the system? And this is the part most people miss: How can we ensure that the lessons learned from tragedies like these are not forgotten and truly lead to lasting change?
What are your thoughts? Do you think enough is being done to address mental health concerns and prevent future attacks? Share your opinions in the comments below!
