Mind responds to Care Quality Commission special review of mental health services at Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, looking at the care of Valdo Calocane
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) was tasked with reviewing whether the evidence they gathered from Valdo Calocane’s care records indicated wider patient safety concerns or systemic issues in Nottingham.
To do so, they reviewed 10 other cases as a benchmark. They identified the following failings:
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Inconsistent approaches to risk assessment
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Poor care planning and engagement with Valdo Calocane and his family
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The decision to discharge Valdo Calocane back to his GP due to non-engagement.
The CQC made recommendations for Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and NHS England. For the trust these included measures to make sure that:
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treatment plans follow national guidelines
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decisions to detain people are looked at
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there’s monitoring of medicines in the community
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family and carers are involved, with patient consent
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discharge policies and procedures are strengthened
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there’s assertive and intensive support for people who disengage from early intervention in psychosis services
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staff know what to do when people don’t attend appointments.
Recommendations for NHS England are about making sure change happens locally and to:
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produce evidence-based, national standards for high-quality, safe care for people with complex psychosis and paranoid schizophrenia
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make sure all providers and commissioners develop and deliver action plans to meet these standards
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with the Royal College of Psychiatrists, to review and strengthen guidance on medicines management in the community and how legislation is used when people don’t comply with medication regimes.
Jennifer Walters, Executive Director of Social Change at Mind, said:
“The loved ones of Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Ian Coates are in our thoughts with the publication of the Care Quality Commission’s report and following the broadcast of the BBC’s Panorama programme. At Mind, we know that violence has a devastating impact on people’s lives, including on family and friends of victims and the wider community.
“Today’s review highlights how system-wide failings and sustained underfunding of mental health services contributed to Valdo Calocane not receiving the support and follow up care he needed.
“Mental health problems affect millions of people, the majority of whom are more likely to experience harm than cause it. We also know that violence connected to a lack of mental health support is often preventable. As a society we need to better understand the causes of violence, and the ways violence can be prevented.
“We are reassured that NHS England, Nottinghamshire Healthcare Foundation Trust and Integrated Care Systems have accepted the CQC’s recommendations and are taking urgent next steps. NHS England’s independent homicide review will provide more scrutiny into Calocane’s care and may highlight additional areas for improvement.
“It’s vital that mental health services play their part in ensuring a joined-up and holistic approach to providing care and support to people with a mental health problem. This will require more investment in community mental health services that intervene early and provide ongoing support, along with strong local partnerships between services that include carers and communities.
“Finally, we must all remember the media plays a vital role in shaping public perceptions about mental health. Any reporting should be done with sensitivity and accuracy, avoiding mental health stereotypes. Misrepresentation can lead to increased stigma and discrimination, further alienating those who need support.”
