An individual who survived the tragic events in Nottingham, enduring ongoing distress, expressed disappointment in not being informed about a report concerning the mental health services within the NHS that treated the perpetrator.
Valdo Calocane, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, took the lives of Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar, and Ian Coates in June 2023 before attacking three more individuals in Nottingham. Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, responsible for Calocane’s care from May 2020 to September 2022, faced criticism in a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection for not consistently providing compassionate, dignified, or high-quality mental health services.
Survivor Wayne Birkett, along with his attorney Greg Almond, revealed that they were not involved in the CQC inspection process. Learning about the report only through media outlets a day prior to publication, they emphasized the lack of inclusion of victims in the assessment.
Following 39 inspections by the CQC between May 2024 and August 2025, a comprehensive review of the trust’s leadership was conducted in September. Wayne, a former forklift operator, sustained severe injuries during the attack and has since been plagued by persistent agony.
Calocane, admitting to manslaughter due to diminished responsibility and attempted murder, received an indefinite hospital order in January 2024, prompting public outrage over the absence of a murder conviction.
The CQC’s report, released in January, highlighted the trust’s regulatory breaches and requested an action plan for improvement. Out of the trust’s 18 services, seven, including five mental health services, were identified as needing enhancements.
Wayne expressed disappointment at not being informed earlier about the report, underscoring the importance of victims being kept informed. His attorney, Mr. Almond, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the impact on their clients and the necessity of prior notification.
In preparation for a public inquiry into the attacks, Wayne and his lawyer are scheduled to meet Health Secretary Wes Streeting on February 5, advocating for victim inclusion and representation.
Regarding the assailant, Mr. Birkett stressed the need for tighter restrictions to prevent similar incidents, calling for improved NHS services and governmental intervention.
With expectations for the public inquiry chaired by Deborah Taylor to commence on February 23, Mr. Almond expressed optimism that the investigation would provide much-needed answers and initiate necessary changes within the trust.
Reflecting on the findings of the CQC report, Mr. Almond emphasized the urgent need for structural leadership changes within the trust to ensure improved service delivery and public safety.
Jenny Wilkes, the interim director of mental health at the Care Quality Commission, extended condolences to all affected by the Nottingham tragedy and confirmed ongoing communication with legal representatives of the attack survivors to address the report’s outcomes.
