State government urged to release review into Plympton stabbing

The state government has been urged to release a review into SA Health’s involvement with a man accused of a shocking stabbing attack.

The state government has been urged to release a review into SA Health’s involvement with the man accused of fatally stabbing real estate agent Julie Seed two days after he was discharged from hospital.

Ms Seed and her colleague Susan Scardigno, who sustained serious injuries, were attacked on December 20 at the Plympton realtor office where they worked.

Following the tragedy, an independent review was launched to probe the health system’s involvement in the case.

Speaking about the completion date, chief psychiatrist Dr John Brayley told a parliamentary committee last month that “the end of March is what is in the terms of reference, and I believe that we are on track”.

The opposition has slammed the government over delays in releasing a review into the murder of property manager Julie Seed at Plympton. 7NEWS Adelaide at 6pm | https://t.co/8ftPfGh39Y#7NEWSpic.twitter.com/nD4DCjbhhb

— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) April 23, 2024

Opposition leader and acting health spokesman David Speirs called for the review to be released to the public.

“To stop a tragedy like this from ever occurring again, we need to understand how this incident unfolded and why a patient being treated for a mental health condition was discharged from the RAH,” he said.

“If there are lessons to be learned, we must learn them now to protect the community.”

However, Health Minister Chris Picton said the independent reviewers in March informed Dr Brayley that they needed more time due to the complexity of the review.

“The report has not yet been received. Our thoughts remain with the family of Julie Seed as well as Susan Scardigno and her loved ones,” he said.

“Once we receive the report, we will be giving the first opportunity to the families to discuss the findings. We take their wishes and their wellbeing extremely seriously.”