Dr Tuhina Lloyd, a consultant psychiatrist who led the team responsible for Valdo Calocane's care for two years before he committed triple murder in Nottingham, has firmly denied accusations that she was attempting to 'cover her own back' regarding his treatment. The claims were made during an ongoing inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Calocane's mental health management and the events leading up to the tragic attacks.
Calocane fatally stabbed university students Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar, both 19, and school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, in June 2023. He also attempted to kill three other people by running them over with a van. He was subsequently given an indefinite hospital order after admitting to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility due to his severe mental illness.
Dr Lloyd's team at Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust managed Calocane's care between May 2021 and May 2023. The inquiry is examining the effectiveness of the care he received, particularly concerning his engagement with mental health services and the assessment of the risks he posed. The period under review is crucial as it directly preceded the violent incidents.
The accusation of 'covering her own back' suggests a concern that details of Calocane's care might have been withheld or presented in a light favourable to the healthcare professionals involved. Dr Lloyd's denial underscores the significant pressure on mental health services and individual practitioners when a patient under their care commits such severe crimes. The inquiry aims to establish if there were any missed opportunities or systemic failings that could have prevented the tragedy.
This scrutiny is part of a wider independent investigation commissioned by NHS England, which is looking into the interactions Calocane had with mental health services before the attacks. The findings of this investigation are expected to provide crucial insights into mental health care pathways and potential areas for improvement within the system.