Family of Lisa Bowes say they pleaded with doctors at Margaret Tobin not to release her before she allegedly threatened strangers with knife at Glenelg

The family of a woman who allegedly threatened strangers with a knife hours after she was sent home from hospital say they pleaded with doctors not to release her.

Nick Bowes at his Christies Beach home on Tuesday after the arrest of his wife, Lisa. Picture: Ben Clark

The family of a mentally ill woman who allegedly threatened strangers with a knife hours after she was sent home from hospital say they pleaded with doctors not to release her – and then tried to warn the state’s chief psychiatrist about the potential danger.

The family of Lisa Bowes, a social worker, say they pleaded with doctors not to discharge her. Picture: Supplied/Bowes family

Lisa Bowes’ husband, Nick, said he was particularly alarmed by her discharge in light of the recent Bondi Junction killing spree and alleged murder of Julie Seed by a mental health patient last year.

“It could have been disastrous,” he said.

“The police could have shot her, with what’s just happened interstate. I’m very thankful to police for the way they handled it.”

Acknowledging “this is clearly a concerning incident”, Health Minister Chris Picton has ordered an urgent independent review into Ms Bowes’ case.

SA Police confirmed Ms Bowes, 47, of Christies Beach, was tasered and arrested after she allegedly used a knife to threaten staff at a business on Byron St, Glenelg, at 3.15pm on Monday.

Mr Bowes said his wife had been sent home from the Margaret Tobin centre for mental health patients in a taxi that morning, after she spent five days receiving treatment for a psychotic episode.

“We pleaded with the doctors, saying she was not ready,” he said.

“They didn’t take that advice from us, they wouldn’t believe us.”

When Ms Bowes’ family was notified of her discharge, they contacted SA chief psychiatrist Dr John Brayley to raise the alarm.

In an email to Dr Brayley sent 11.42am on Monday, Ms Bowes’ 18-year-old son warned that his mother had gone to the Glenelg business last week and “almost” hurt workers.

Lisa Bowes will spend at least the next month in custody. Picture: Supplied/Bowes family

He said he was “hoping she would stay in hospital a little longer as she is not sleeping at night” and flagged she told her family “she is going to head back to Glenelg in coming days” with a knife.

“The treating team at Margaret Tobin centre were aware of this, and are still sending her home now,” the email said.

“I am very lost on what to do, as I cannot look after my mum alone and if something happens again I will feel guilty as I can’t stop her.

“Do you have any suggestions on what I can do?”

Ms Bowes, who had been working full-time as a social worker, was charged with assault and possession of a knife in a public place following the incident.

Lisa and Nick Bowes are the parents of three children. Picture: Ben Clark

She spent Monday night in custody and was handcuffed during an appearance before the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday, when she applied for bail.

A mental health report said Ms Bowes’ diagnoses included chronic depressive illness, borderline personality disorder, complex and chronic PTSD, dissociative identity disorder and complex neurological disorder.

During the hearing, she told Magistrate Roderick Jensen that she had in the past suffered traumatic experiences at the Glenelg premises that she had twice visited. The current occupants of the site were not involved.

Mr Jensen said the allegations against Ms Bowes were “very serious” and he needed to consider community safety.

He refused bail and remanded her under a mental health provision ahead of another court appearance in May.

Mr Bowes said his wife, with whom he shares three children, had been repeatedly failed by the mental health system.

“The way it’s turned out, it’s just going to make everything worse for her,” he said.

“It’s terrifying for her … she’s the victim.”

Mr Picton said he on Wednesday met with Ms Bowes’ family and listened and acted on their concerns.

“I have met with the chief psychiatrist and expressed my view that the matter needs to be urgently independently reviewed,” he said.

“The chief psychiatrist has commissioned an independent review into the clinical decisions that were made.”

Health Minister Chris Picton said the incident involving Ms Bowes was concerning. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Morgan Sette

SA Health Chief Psychiatrist Dr John Brayley will commission an independent review into clinical decisions made in the case. Picture: Dean Martin

Mr Picton said the review will be led by Victorian senior forensic psychiatrist Dr Danny Sullivan, and the Bowes family has been asked for their input on the terms of reference.

“We will be keeping in contact with them throughout the process,” he said.

Dr Brayley said the terms were already being drafted and would focus on the care Ms Bowes has received over the past 18 months.

“It is expected that the report will take about three months to complete,” he said

Southern Adelaide Local Health Network chief medical officer Dr Diana Lawrence said the network would fully support the review.

She said it was not appropriate to comment on Ms Bowes’ specific medical details.

“Clinicians make decisions based on a thorough assessment of the needs of the patient,” she said.

“Through the discharge process, an individualised treatment plan is put in place based on the patient leaving the hospital, including a plan for intervention, should the patient exhibit harmful behaviours.”