Health Minister Chris Picton apologises to family of Lisa Bowes and staff of Century 21 The Bay following Glenelg knife incident

The state’s health minister has apologised to the family and victims of a mentally ill woman who allegedly threatened people with a knife hours after being released from hospital.

Nick Bowes at his Christies Beach home in South Australia. Picture: Ben Clark

The family of a mentally ill woman who allegedly threatened five people with a knife hours after she was sent home from hospital have received an apology from the state’s health minister.

Staff at a Glenelg real estate agency, who were allegedly threatened by Lisa Bowes following her release from the Margaret Tobin centre on April 22, have also received an apology from Health Minister Chris Picton.

Ms Bowes’ family pleaded with doctors not to release her, then tried to warn SA chief psychiatrist John Brayley of her plan to return to the business with a knife.

Carol Hartlett, director of Century 21 The Bay, had also reported concerns to SA Police on the morning of the incident, after Ms Bowes allegedly made a threatening phone call.

Ms Hartlett said multiple warning signs were ignored before Ms Bowes allegedly Burst into the Byron St office at 3.15pm.

Ms Bowes was arrested and charged with assault and possession of a knife in a public place, and has been remanded in the Adelaide Women’s Prison since the incident – she remains before the courts, no pleas have been entered.

Carol Hartlett alleges multiple warning signs were ignored by police before the incident occurred. Picture: Matt Loxton

Last week, Mr Picton wrote to her husband, Nick Bowes, regarding his wife’s care and treatment in the lead-up to the incident.

“I wish to extend my sincere apologies for what your family has experienced and acknowledge how distressing the past couple of months has been for you, Lisa and your children,” the letter said.

“I was incredibly concerned to hear of the incident that occurred with Lisa.”

Mr Picton has asked Dr Brayley to commission an independent review into the clinical decision-making in relation to Ms Bowes’ care.

On Sunday morning, Ms Hartlett said she had not received any apology, and had not been contacted by health or police officials since the incident.

“I would like an apology as well, because if Lisa wasn’t released from the hospital on her own that day then she wouldn’t have come back to our business and allegedly made the threats,” she said.

Following an inquiry by The Advertiser, Mr Picton said he had contacted Ms Hartlett.

“I am extremely sorry for what Carol and her staff have experienced and I have today reached out to her to assure her how seriously we are taking this matter and offering to meet with her,” he said.

But he said the scope of the independent review and his jurisdiction is limited to the health system.

A separate investigation into the police response is also underway, however Police Commissioner Grant Stevens has defended the actions of the officer who took Ms Hartlett’s report about the allegedly threatening call in the hours before the incident.

The call, on the morning of April 22, came after police received a report that Ms Bowes was found at the Glenelg premises with a knife five days earlier, which had also prompted a police call-out.

Ms Bowes’ case came before the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday, when a bail inquiry report and home detention report were ordered.

Her matter was transferred to a court list dealing with matters involving mental health issues, and she was remanded to reappear on Tuesday.

Mr Bowes said she has been receiving treatment but prison has been difficult for his wife.

“If you’ve got a sick loved one in South Australia, this is what you can be prepared for,” he said.