Survivor of Nottingham attacks fears repeat if lessons are not learned.
A 62-year-old survivor of the 2023 Nottingham attacks has expressed his deep concern that another tragedy could occur without significant improvements being made to the region's mental health services. Wayne Birkett, who suffered severe and life-changing injuries in the attack, says that despite the initial report into the trust, "nothing's changed". He fears that a similar incident could happen again unless drastic action is taken.
The attack left four people dead and three others severely injured. Valdo Calocane, who had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, was sentenced to a hospital order in January 2024 after admitting to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and attempted murder. A damning report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found that there had been "a series of errors, omissions, and misjudgments" in Calocane's mental health care, which could have prevented the tragedy.
Birkett believes that if lessons are not learned from the initial report, similar attacks could happen again. He will be meeting with Health Secretary Wes Streeting to highlight his concerns and call for "serious intervention" in Nottingham's mental health services.
The attack has had a profound impact on Birkett, who is struggling to cope with the physical and emotional trauma he suffered. Despite undergoing extensive treatment, he still struggles to read, brush his teeth, or hold cutlery. He hopes that by participating in the public inquiry into the attacks, he can finally "find out the truth about everything" and gain some closure.
Critics of the mental health services argue that a lack of action has led to continued failing local services. Solicitor Greg Almond says that without drastic changes, the public is not safe, and the NHS and mental health services in Nottingham are not currently safe. The government has already taken steps to reform the Mental Health Act and ensure that mental health providers review their care for people with serious mental illness.
The chief executive of Nottinghamshire healthcare has said that the trust is committed to providing high-quality and safe care, but it appears that more needs to be done to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
A 62-year-old survivor of the 2023 Nottingham attacks has expressed his deep concern that another tragedy could occur without significant improvements being made to the region's mental health services. Wayne Birkett, who suffered severe and life-changing injuries in the attack, says that despite the initial report into the trust, "nothing's changed". He fears that a similar incident could happen again unless drastic action is taken.
The attack left four people dead and three others severely injured. Valdo Calocane, who had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, was sentenced to a hospital order in January 2024 after admitting to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and attempted murder. A damning report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found that there had been "a series of errors, omissions, and misjudgments" in Calocane's mental health care, which could have prevented the tragedy.
Birkett believes that if lessons are not learned from the initial report, similar attacks could happen again. He will be meeting with Health Secretary Wes Streeting to highlight his concerns and call for "serious intervention" in Nottingham's mental health services.
The attack has had a profound impact on Birkett, who is struggling to cope with the physical and emotional trauma he suffered. Despite undergoing extensive treatment, he still struggles to read, brush his teeth, or hold cutlery. He hopes that by participating in the public inquiry into the attacks, he can finally "find out the truth about everything" and gain some closure.
Critics of the mental health services argue that a lack of action has led to continued failing local services. Solicitor Greg Almond says that without drastic changes, the public is not safe, and the NHS and mental health services in Nottingham are not currently safe. The government has already taken steps to reform the Mental Health Act and ensure that mental health providers review their care for people with serious mental illness.
The chief executive of Nottinghamshire healthcare has said that the trust is committed to providing high-quality and safe care, but it appears that more needs to be done to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
this attack was soooo scary 
! I'm like totally worried about people who are going through mental health stuff 
they need help ASAP 
and I'm not just talking about meds 
, I'm talking about actual support and resources 
. We can't keep waiting for things to get better 
. Wayne's story is so heartbreaking 
, poor guy is still struggling after all these months 
. The government needs to step up their game 
, like seriously take action 
and make those changes NOW 
. We can't just keep hoping for the best 
️, we need to actually do something 
.
It's just horrific.
. I feel so frustrated that no drastic action seems to be being taken to improve the services. Like, what's being done to prevent something like this from happening again? Is it just business as usual for these mental health services? 
It doesn't seem right to me.
. We need more than just promises of improvement; we need action. And most importantly, we need to make sure these survivors are being properly supported during this incredibly difficult time 
.
And to think that there were "errors, omissions, and misjudgments" in Valdo Calocane's care... it's like they're saying we should just accept that some people are disposable 
.
. I hope meeting with Wes Streeting helps him get some answers and maybe, just maybe, gets us closer to a system that actually works. We need to do better for our most vulnerable citizens 
. The government's trying to reform mental health services, but we need to see actual change on the ground 
This attack is still fresh in my mind and I just can't shake off the feeling that we've learned nothing from what happened last year... People are dying or getting seriously hurt due to a system that's supposed to support them, not fail them 
this is so concerning, i mean i get it, its 2023 was like, a huge incident, but 2 years later and still not enough being done? 
i feel for the survivor,wayne birkett, who's just trying to cope with his physical and emotional trauma. its heartbreaking that he's still struggling with everyday tasks like reading or even brushing his teeth. 
we need to see some serious changes in how mental health care is being handled in Nottingham, and i hope wayne's meeting with wes streeting leads to some real change 
I'm really worried about this guy Wayne Birkett, he's still struggling 2 years after the attack 
. It's like the system failed him and others 
. I hope he gets some answers from the inquiry and can finally move on with his life