'Reform Victorian mental health rules before we face new tragedy like Nottingham'

A BILL before the House of Lords today seeks to reform "outdated Victorian rules" in a push to prevent mental health tragedies.

- Giles Sheldrick

The killings of Grace O'MalleyKumar, Barnaby Webber and lan Coates by mentally ill Valdo Calocane could have been prevented, according to experts.

The schizophrenic was discharged, despite repeatedly not taking medication and showing aggression, months before he killed them in Nottingham last year.

A probe found Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust poorly managed "the risk he presented to the public".

Detained

Prof Sir Simon Wessely, who chaired an independent review of the Mental Health Act, said the time had come to "modernise the Act without jeopardising the public".

Describing current rules as "Victorian" Sir Simon said: "The case for change is compelling."