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Nottingham killer discharged after NHS staff could not find him, inquiry hears
A man with paranoid schizophrenia was discharged from NHS mental health services in September 2022 after failing to engage, with NHS staff saying they could not find him. Months later he killed three people in Nottingham on June 13, 2023. The Nottingham Inquiry is examining the events and the discharge decision and follow-up.
Why It Matters
The case raises questions about risk assessment, follow-up practices in mental health care, and how discharge decisions affect public safety and accountability.
Timeline
4 Events
Nottingham Inquiry hearing on discharge and follow-up (May 5, 2026)
May 5, 2026
The Nottingham Inquiry heard testimony from Emma Robinson regarding the discharge decision, noting there were no holding powers and that Calocane could not be engaged or found. The inquiry also heard that his GP was effectively sent very little information after discharge and that Nottinghamshire Police were not informed of his discharge. Robinson described a tendency to discharge non-engaging patients, with remarks about whether it was safer to discharge back to the GP queue rather than keep someone on an open caseload.
Killing of three people in Nottingham by Calocane on June 13, 2023
June 13, 2023
Months after the discharge, Calocane killed three people in Nottingham: Barnaby Webber, Grace O'Malley-Kumar, and Ian Coates. The Nottingham Inquiry is examining the events and aftermath of the killings.
Discharged from EIP service in September 2022
September 2022
Calocane was discharged by the trust's Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) service after failing to attend appointments or make contact. Robinson explained that the service 'couldn't work with him, we couldn't find him at this point,' and the discharge was to be back with the GP because they could not engage him and had no holding powers.
Last contact with EIP team by phone on July 16, 2022
July 16, 2022
Calocane's last contact with the Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) team was by phone on July 16, 2022, when he lied about being abroad. The care co-ordinator attended his address, made calls, and sent a letter, but received no response. Emma Robinson said they had, by that point, effectively lost him and could not find him to treat or engage him.