New push to stop sending patients ‘out of area’ after homicides

NHS England has told trust, system and regional leaders to push ahead with plans to eliminate out-of-area placements within three years, in response to an independent review into the care of a man who killed three people while being treated by a Nottinghamshire mental health trust.

NHSE’s mental health leaders wrote to trusts and systems last night after publication of the findings on Valdo Calocane’s treatment.

The review said that he was sent to two inpatient units outside his home area, including a spot-purchased independent sector bed, “due to a lack of local capacity” and despite his family being against it. The review suggested that if he was cared for locally, the admissions “may have been the opportunity to fully see” that he was disengaging with community services, and for services to change their approach.

Claire Murdoch, NHSE’s national director for mental health, learning disabilities and autism, and Adrian James, the national medical director for mental health and neurodiversity, told trust and ICB leaders they must discuss their “action plans” to improve treatment of mental health patients who need “intensive and assertive community treatment” by 30 June.

In particular, they said they should review their plans for “eliminating out-of-area placements in line with ICB three-year plans”; for “personalised assessment of risk across community and inpatient teams”; “joint discharge planning arrangements involving family”; multi-agency working; and information sharing.

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Source: HSJ, 6 February 2025