Health Minister Nelson Bascome is to launch a review into mental health procedures after last week's knife siege involving a St. Brendan's outpatient who had stopped taking his medicine.

The Bailey's Bay man had threatened his mother with a knife and then barricaded himself in his apartment before finally giving himself up.

Mr. Bascome said: "I think there is a need for a review after last week's scenario.'' "As the Chief of Psychiatry has pointed out there is a need for better communication with families of those released from St. Brendan's.

"This case presents to us a scenario which shows that it should be looked at again. Individuals can fall through the cracks.'' But he said: "Compared with other jurisdictions Bermuda has one of the better treatments for mental patients over the last few years but there is always room for improvement.

One reader who looks after a family member with mental problems told The Royal Gazette she felt compulsory medication should last longer than the current one-year limit.

The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "What happens is that one year after you are faced with a similar situation.

"As soon as the person doesn't have to have the drugs they stop having it.'' Bascome to order mental health services probe after knife siege Asked whether indefinite medication was too draconian the woman said: "What's more important? If we can get the person to hold down a job and for life to be easier or for them to be throwing things or running round naked? "Each year the individual gets locked up and the same thing happens, they end up in jail or in St. Brendan's. It's a Catch 22 situation.

"It shouldn't be every year. There should be an assessment. Compulsory medication should be for as long as necessary.

"Maybe the medicine could be reduced as long as they are stable.

"I have been putting up with this for the last 10 years. The police get tired of it, it puts a strain on the community because that person has to go back to jail.'' Opposition Health Spokesman Kim Young called for the law to be changed.

She said: "These patients take medication for psychiatric illnesses but when they start to feel good they stop taking the medication.

"But the person who is usually closest to them can see signs they have stopped taking the medicine.

"There are tell-tale signs, either they are not changing their clothes, or they are sleeping longer or they don't go to work on time.

"But there's nothing they can do to make them take it. "They should be sectioned so when their guardian spots they are not taking medicine they can call the Police and the Police can pick them up and take them back and they can make them take their medicine.

"I would love to see this.

"They should be able to be given their medication involuntarily because otherwise there might be a tragedy.

"It's not the schizophrenic's fault either, it puts them in danger as well as other people.

"We need to find a way those people can be sectioned to take their medication.

Mr. Bascome pointed out that in severe cases mental patients could be kept on medication for longer than a year and that the patient could then appeal to a Mental Health Tribunal if they wanted to come off drugs.

HEALTH HTH HOSPITAL HOS