‘Ongoing concerns’ at mental health trust that cared for Nottingham killer

The health watchdog said there were “ongoing concerns” at the trust where Valdo Karokane was treated before he murdered Grace O’Malley-Kumar, Barnaby Webber and Ian Coates in Nottingham last year. he emphasized.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust needed to improve “to protect patients, families and the public from the risk of harm”.

It also raised concerns that mental health trusts across the country were facing similar “challenges”.

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins called for an immediate review of the trust in January after the hospital order was handed down for Mr Cullocane’s murder.

Karokane, who had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, admitted manslaughter on the grounds that his mental illness had diminished his capacity for responsibility.

The CQC published two parts of its review – an assessment of patient safety at the trust and an assessment of progress made at Rampton High Security Hospital since it was last inspected.

The third part of the Trust’s opinion on Calokane’s care will be published in the summer.

Inspectors reported “persistent concerns” at the trust, including staffing issues. Demand for leadership and services and access to care.

The CQC said that over the past five years it has “raised ongoing concerns about the quality of community and inpatient mental health services at NHFT and has taken enforcement action, including restricting admissions to Rampton Hospital”.

An investigation into patient safety and quality of care at the trust found:

– People struggle to access the care they need when they need it, “putting themselves and potentially the public at risk of harm.”

– The quality of care and treatment across the trust is “variable” and “the care provided does not always meet individual needs”.

– Patient safety was not always ensured due to high demand for services and staff shortages.

– Measures to address safety concerns were often “reactive.”

Rampton Hospital, a high-security facility that was inspected five times by the CQC between 2019 and 2023, said inspectors found “pockets of poor culture”, poor communication between staff and patients, and in particular poor communication between patients. He expressed concern about a number of issues, including: People in long-term isolation. and concerns about staffing levels.

Inspectors said the hospital should be given a 12-month license instead of the usual five-year license period “to allow for improvements.”

Chris Dzikiti, director of mental health at CQC, said: “While there have been some improvements, the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) investigation has highlighted continued concerns about people’s care and safety.

“We have set out clear recommendations on the actions trusts should take to ensure services provide safe care and treatment and protect patients, families and the public from risk of harm.

“Concerns about service demand and access to care, NHFT staffing and leadership need to be addressed. NHFT England will support improvements and we will work closely with them on this.”

“But our findings also provide a starting point for a closer look at gaps in local mental health services so that we can truly improve quality of care, patient safety and public safety nationally.” It has to be.”

Inspectors said many other mental health services across the country were in high demand and demand was increasing, adding that “high unmet need means further action is needed” to improve care. This means that there is a need for

Commenting on the review, Brian Dow, deputy chief executive of Rethink Mental Illness, said: “Given the tragic and preventable loss of life in Nottingham that prompted this review, its findings are a significant “This is a reminder that it is essential to ensure services have adequate resources.” Safe and timely care must be provided.

“Recommendations from this review are important for Nottinghamshire, not just for the small number of people who pose a threat to others, but also for the much larger number who only pose a threat to themselves through neglect or self-harm when unwell. It needs to be processed and implemented quickly.” Other NHS trusts across the country are also taking note.

“What is also clear is that mental health services are dangerously lacking in some parts of the country and are struggling to meet demand.

“Until governments put them on a more sustainable financial footing, they will not be able to provide the safe, timely, high-quality care that people expect and deserve.”

Ms Atkins said: “The Care Quality Commission found deficiencies in Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s ability to manage demand for services, access to care, staffing and leadership issues. This is unacceptable and therefore Action needs to be taken.

“Since I commissioned the review, an improvement officer has been appointed and a plan has been developed with the trust and NHS England to improve the service. The trust will now be subject to the highest level of national oversight. .

“I want rapid and significant improvements and am asking for regular updates on the work underway to dramatically improve the trust’s standards.”

Ifti Majid, chief executive of Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are committed to providing high quality, effective and safe care to those who need it most. That is why this report is difficult to read. We are disappointed in our patients and their families. I am very sorry for making this happen.

“External inspections are an important way to help us learn and make necessary improvements.”

He said the trust had undertaken a number of improvements before the special review was commissioned, adding: “We welcome the additional support we are currently receiving as part of the National Recovery Support Programme, including support for improvement officers.”

“We are currently developing a comprehensive improvement plan and are implementing everything outlined in the CQC’s rapid review report to ensure people using our services receive the quality care they deserve. We will ensure that the recommendations are implemented.”

“We would like to reaffirm our commitment to improving the quality and safety of our services. We work tirelessly to ensure that all patients and their families receive the quality care they deserve. I’m coming.”