Nottinghamshire NHS trust used charity funds for leaving party

A significant controversy has engulfed Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust as it has emerged that funds designated for charitable purposes were controversially used to host a leaving party for its former chairman, Paul Devlin. The revelation has sparked widespread criticism and prompted an apology from the trust’s chief executive, Ifti Majid, who has acknowledged the action as an "unacceptable use of charitable funds." The incident casts a shadow over an organisation already under intense scrutiny due to its involvement in the care of Valdo Calocane, the paranoid schizophrenic responsible for the tragic Nottingham attacks in June 2023, which claimed the lives of Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar, and Ian Coates.

The sum in question, amounting to £249.50, was drawn from the trust’s charitable operations to contribute to an event held in December for Mr. Devlin, who officially stepped down from his role as chairman earlier this month after serving two three-year terms. This charitable fund, managed by the trust, is currently dedicated to vital initiatives such as funding therapies for the mother and baby unit and supporting peer support programmes for individuals living with dementia. The misappropriation of these funds has deeply concerned staff and the wider community, particularly given the sensitive nature of the trust’s recent performance and its handling of critical mental health services.

In correspondence shared with staff and seen by the BBC, Chief Executive Ifti Majid expressed his regret and concern. "I accept this was not a good use of charitable funds," he stated, acknowledging that the decision to utilize these funds for a farewell event was a mistake. He further assured that the full amount had been reimbursed to the charity by the executive team, acting on behalf of all attendees. This reimbursement, however, does little to quell the growing unease surrounding financial stewardship and ethical conduct within the trust.

The timing of this revelation is particularly sensitive, coinciding with a recent report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) which flagged the trust’s leadership as requiring improvement. The CQC’s findings painted a concerning picture of the trust’s financial health, forecasting a significant deficit of £46.8 million by the end of the 2025-26 financial year. This financial strain, coupled with the recent controversy, exacerbates existing concerns about the trust’s ability to effectively manage its resources and deliver high-quality patient care.

The trust’s troubles have been further amplified by a damning report released in 2024, which the families of the Nottingham attacks victims described as evidence of "gross, systemic failures in the mental health trust." This report highlighted significant issues within the trust’s operations, leading to heightened public and professional concern. Adding to the internal turmoil, it was reported in January 2024 that over 30 members of staff across the trust had been suspended, indicating potential widespread disciplinary or operational problems.

Paul Devlin, the former chairman at the centre of the controversy, had been in his role since 2020. His tenure concluded earlier this month, with Tom Cahill taking over as the new chairman. While the trust has acknowledged the mistake and initiated reimbursement, the question of how such a decision was approved in the first place remains a significant point of concern. The correspondence from Mr. Majid suggests an intention to host an "open staff and partner leaving event," inviting a broad range of colleagues and external healthcare partners. He also stated that he had "listened to everything you said, and clarified the rules around this," implying that staff feedback played a role in rectifying the situation and reinforcing proper procedures.

The trust operates several mental health facilities, including Highbury Hospital in Nottingham. The charitable funds in question are crucial for enhancing patient care and supporting innovative therapeutic approaches. For example, the current fundraising efforts are directly aimed at improving the mother and baby unit, a critical service for vulnerable families, and bolstering peer support for individuals grappling with the complexities of dementia. The diversion of even a seemingly small sum from these essential causes raises serious questions about priorities and oversight.

The news has been met with a mixed but predominantly critical response from staff and the public. While some acknowledge the apology and the subsequent reimbursement, many are questioning the initial decision-making process. The fact that charitable funds, often reliant on public goodwill and donations, were used for a staff event, particularly for a senior departing executive, has been viewed as a serious lapse in judgment. The transparency surrounding the application and approval of these funds is now under intense scrutiny.

The trust’s chief executive, Ifti Majid, had himself been expected to retire from his position on his 60th birthday in October. However, it was previously announced that he would remain in post to oversee the public inquiry hearings related to the Nottingham attacks before departing in June. This extended tenure, while intended to provide continuity during a critical period, now adds another layer of complexity to the trust’s leadership situation. The current controversy, occurring under his leadership, inevitably brings his own role and decision-making under further examination.

The statement from Mr. Majid further elaborated on the rationale behind the event: "We did apply to charitable funds to pay for an open staff and partner leaving event, which many clinical and non-clinical colleagues from across the organisation, as well as local healthcare partners, were invited to." He then directly addressed the staff’s concerns, stating, "In hindsight, I’ve listened to everything you said, and clarified the rules around this, and I accept this was not a good use of charitable funds." The executive team’s personal reimbursement of the full amount signifies an attempt to contain the fallout and demonstrate accountability.

Mr. Majid concluded his message with an expression of gratitude for staff who spoke up, acknowledging their frustrations and offering his sincere apologies. "I am grateful for colleagues speaking up about this, can absolutely understand your frustrations and would like to offer my apologies," he wrote. This acknowledgement of internal dissent and the subsequent apology are seen as positive steps, but the underlying issues of governance, financial management, and ethical conduct within Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust remain subjects of significant concern for all stakeholders. The trust now faces the considerable challenge of rebuilding public trust and demonstrating a clear commitment to responsible stewardship of both public and charitable funds, especially in light of its ongoing role in critical mental health provision and its entanglement with the deeply sensitive aftermath of the Nottingham attacks. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of stringent financial controls and ethical adherence, particularly within organisations entrusted with the care of vulnerable individuals and the management of public resources.