Nottingham Attack Survivor Condemns NHS Secrecy Over Critical Report
A survivor of the devastating Nottingham attacks, who continues to endure what he describes as "nightmare" pain, has launched a scathing criticism of the NHS for failing to inform victims about a crucial report into mental health services. Wayne Birkett, who was left in a coma after being struck by a stolen van during Valdo Calocane's killing spree, says he and other victims were completely excluded from the process.
Victims Left in the Dark About Damning Inspection
Mr Birkett and his lawyer, Greg Almond, have revealed that they only learned about the Care Quality Commission's critical inspection of Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust through media reports the day before its publication. The CQC report, published in January, found that the trust's mental health services "were not always humane, dignified or gave high quality care" when treating patients.
"I don't know why I wasn't involved or I wasn't warned about this before," said Mr Birkett, a former forklift driver who was catapulted into the air during the attack. "That's all I've got to say about that, really, because we should have been told, we should have been warned." He described the situation as "quite embarrassing," emphasising the profound impact the lack of communication has had on those directly affected by the tragedy.
Systemic Failures in Mental Health Care Exposed
The CQC carried out 39 inspections at the trust between May 2024 and August 2025, followed by a trust-wide review of leadership in September 2025. The report concluded that the trust had breached regulations concerning its management and required an action plan. Notably, seven of the trust's eighteen services were rated as requiring improvement, including five mental health services.
Paranoid schizophrenic Valdo Calocane, who was under the trust's care between May 2020 and September 2022, killed Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar, both 19, and caretaker Ian Coates, 65, in June 2023. He also attempted to kill three more people during the attack that shocked the nation. Calocane later admitted manslaughter by diminished responsibility and attempted murder, receiving an indefinite hospital order in January 2024.
Legal Representative Demands Immediate Action
Greg Almond, who also represents attack survivor Sharon Miller, expressed profound shock at the failure to notify victims. "It's shocking that we didn't receive early notice of the report," he stated. "Clearly this affected my clients very acutely, and they should have been made aware of it. We shouldn't have been advised about it from the press."
Mr Almond emphasised the urgent need for systemic change within the trust's leadership structure. "I think a complete change is needed, structural change of leadership, and it needs to happen quickly," he asserted. "Now is the time for the government to step in and take some real action. The people of Nottingham need to be clear that their NHS is safe."
Upcoming Meetings and Public Inquiry
Mr Birkett and Mr Almond are scheduled to meet Health Secretary Wes Streeting on February 5th, ahead of a public inquiry into the attacks chaired by senior retired judge Deborah Taylor. The inquiry is expected to commence on February 23rd and aims to report back within two years.
Speaking about the upcoming meeting with the Health Secretary, Mr Birkett said: "These people shouldn't be let on the streets and the NHS has got to improve. Hopefully the man can help. Hopefully." His lawyer added: "I expect him to listen to our concerns. I expect him to set out a plan as to what the government intends to do. This is crucial to his role."
CQC Response and Ongoing Investigations
Jenny Wilkes, the Care Quality Commission's interim director of mental health, extended the organisation's "deepest sympathies to everyone affected by the devastating attack." She confirmed that the report published on January 14th detailed findings from the trust-wide well-led review in September 2025, which followed a programme of assessments recommended by their 2024 review of the trust.
"Since publishing this report, we have made contact with lawyers for survivors of the attack and are arranging to meet with them," Ms Wilkes stated. Meanwhile, Mr Almond expressed cautious optimism about the public inquiry, noting: "We've got a real hope that the inquiry will deliver the answers that we need. We're going to leave no stone unturned to get to the bottom of these issues."
The survivor and his legal team continue to advocate for greater inclusion of victims in such processes, stressing that their voices must be heard to prevent future tragedies. "We don't want to have another tragedy on the streets of Nottingham or anywhere else in the country," Mr Almond concluded, highlighting the national implications of the trust's failures.
