Opposition health spokesman Michael Dunkley fears more tragedies could ensue if Government does not provide a secure unit at St. Brendan's.

He spoke out after patient Earl Rashun Smith died after falling into a diabetic coma in abandoned offices in the old wing of St. Brendan's.

And he claimed another man currently before the courts had also been branded as extremely dangerous by St. Brendan's staff.

He said sources at St. Brendan's had said both men should be kept in a secure unit or they would do harm to themselves or someone else in the community.

When someone in authority gave an official warning, heed should be taken, he said.

In the case of the man before the courts, Mr. Dunkley said: "I am reliably informed the doctor in charge says he's one of the sickest individuals he's ever come across and in a short period of time would do harm to someone in our society.

"At the present time we have glaring gaps in the system. We have already seen the tragedy where a young man's life was snuffed out.

"There is now a call for a secure area where people can be treated and stay for the duration of their treatment."

He said the Minister had the responsibility of making sure that individuals who were a threat to society were dealt with so that threat was minimised.

"I am calling on the Minister of Health to say how he's dealing with these issues."

Health Minister Nelson Bascome was not present in the chamber for the speech.