Valdo Calocane inquiry offers valuable lessons for overhauling mental health services (BMJ, 17 June 2026)

Summary

A relational care approach rooted in continuity and family involvement could help avert future tragedies arising from severe mental illness, writes Rachel Bannister in this BMJ opinion piece.

Content

The Nottingham inquiry recently concluded its evidence sessions in the case of Valdo Calocane, who killed three people in June 2023. His diagnosis of schizophrenia and his interactions with healthcare have prompted reflection on the state of UK mental health services and what more should have been done to prevent this tragedy.

The inquiry has rightly highlighted the importance of prevention, continuity of care, and the meaningful involvement of families. The role of families in supporting people with severe mental illness deserves greater attention. Concerns were raised that Calocane’s parents were not listened to and that services failed to appropriately inform and involve them in their son’s care.

Across decades, the same challenges continue to emerge without meaningful change: inequitable access to care, preventable and other mental health related deaths, and failures of inpatient services. While there are clear and longstanding concerns about funding, investment, and service cuts, the problems extend beyond resources alone. Even with adequate investment, we must consider what mental health services should look like and whether they are truly designed to provide the consistent, compassionate, and preventive care that could avert future tragedies.