Nova Scotia urges steps at psychiatric hospitals to protect public

A Nova Scotia government review released today lists better tracking and more frequent assessments of forensic psychiatric patients among the18 recommendations prompted by the death of Halifax gay rights activistRaymond Taavel in April.

Andre Noel Denny,a psychiatric patient at the East Coast Forensic Hospital,faces second-degree murder chargesin Taavel's death. Denny had failed to return to the hospital afterbeing granted aone-hour leave last Aprilanincident that led government officials to reviewrelease protocols for psychiatric patients.

The review identified significant gaps where improvements "can and must be made to increase public protection," the report says.

Chris Power, CEO for Capital Health, saidthe health-care network is committed to closingthosegaps in the system.

The joint review was led by:

• Deputy ministersfromthehealth and justice departments.
• TheCEO of Capital Health.
• Dr. Alex Simpson from the University of Toronto.
• Dr. Johann Brink, clinical and scientific director for the Forensic Psychiatric Services Commission in British Columbia.

The review found the East Coast Forensic Hospitalprocedures were "similar to and in some areas more advanced" thanhospitals in other parts of Canada. A joint review said the practices in granting community access to patients "met or exceeded provincial standards."

Denny was granted a one-hour leave leave April 16. Taavel,49, was killed in the early hours of April 17 outside Menz Bar, a popular gay club on Gottingen Street in Halifax.

Police said it appears Taavel tried to break up a fight between two men after leaving the bar.

Dennywas arrested in a nearby alley shortly after the attack.

In court documents, Denny is described as suffering from paranoid schizophrenia. He is also described as being grossly psychotic with a history of aggressive impulsivity and unpredictability.

Government accepts recommendations

Minister of Health and Wellness Dave Wilson said the government supports all 18 recommendations.

Justice Minister Ross Landry also accepted the joint review's recommendations.

He said the events of April 17 cannot be changed.

"A tragedy spurred this critical review. It is hoped these improvements honour the memory of a man who was deeply committed to positive change in his community," read the report.

Wilson said he doesn'tknow the cost of implementing the recommendations,but procedural changes recommend in the review wouldn't come with much of a price tag.

The report did not mention whether GPS trackingbracelets would be used for patients, but the Capital District Health Authority will explore using cellphones or pagers to monitor patientson leave.