NHS Boss Promoted After Nottingham Knife Attack

In a surprising move, Susan Elcock, the head of an NHS team criticized for its handling of the Nottingham knife killer, has been promoted to deputy CEO of Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. This promotion comes despite a recent Care Quality Commission (CQC) report highlighting significant failures in the care of Valdo Calocane, who was deemed a risk to others yet was repeatedly discharged from mental health services. Calocane, a 32-year-old diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, was responsible for the tragic stabbings of students Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber, both 19, along with school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, last June. The CQC report pointed to a series of errors in the management of Calocane’s care, raising serious concerns about the safety protocols in place at the Trust. Following the report's release, there have been calls for accountability among senior staff. Dr. Elcock, who previously served as the Trust’s forensics director and executive medical director, has received £100,000 in bonuses since 2022 for her performance. In response to the CQC findings, she acknowledged the need for significant improvements in care quality and safety. Trust chief executive Ifti Majid defended her promotion, emphasizing her experience and commitment to enhancing care for vulnerable patients.