Reports of autistic man Ashley Peacock being locked in seclusion for nearly half his adult life are inaccurate says the Ministry of Health.
A petition over Ashley Peacock's care is presented to Parliament on 15 September 2016. Left to right: Kimberley Hall from Autism NZ, Kevin Hague, Ashley's parents Dave and Marlene, Grant Robertson Photo: RNZ / Chris Bramwell
Ashley Peacock, 38, has lived at the Tawhirimatea Unit run by Capital & Coast District Health Board in Porirua for nearly 10 years.
His parents Dave and Marlena Peacock have been fighting for their son to be transferred to specialist individual care and gave evidence to the Health Committee last month in which they said he spends most of the day locked in a room 3 metres by 4m.
Director and chief advisor of mental health at the Ministry of Health Dr John Crawshaw tells the health committee Ashley Peacock has been very challenging for the services. Photo: VNP / Phil Smith
Speaking to the health committee the Director and chief advisor of mental health at the Ministry of Health John Crawshaw said those reports are inaccurate.
"Some of the material which has been in the media about him being locked in seclusion et cetera is just simply not accurrate," he said.
"He usually is out most days or parts of, in the community and the ministry supports that through contracts."
Ashley Peacock Photo: SUPPLIED / David Peacock
Dr Crawshaw said he was limited in what he could say publicly but did say that Ashley was an "individual who has been very challenging for the services" and reports received showed there was varying views over his treatment.
"They have actively sought to engage the parents. We recognise that there is sometimes significant disparity of views between what the treating clinicians and people who are responsible for his support and care believe what is necessary and what the family believes is necessary."
The transfer of Ashley Peacock has recently been promised by health authorities but his parents said it will likely take at least six months to happen.
"The feedback that I have is that the clinicians are actively considering alternatives and looking at what is feasible and possible within the constraints of the law and also the improvement that MR Peacock has shown," said Dr Crawshaw.
Call to review tongue tie treatment
Ministry of Health senior advisor Kass Jane tells the Health Committee there are no national guidelines on treatment of tongue or lip tie. Photo: VNP / Daniela Maoate-Cox
Around 12 percent of the world's population are affected by ankyloglossia, commonly known as tongue tie, but New Zealand doesn't have any national guidelines for assessment, diagnosis or treatment.
Five and a half thousand people have signed the petition of Kylie Rose Hickey calling on the Ministry of Health to revisit how tongue tie and lip tie are treated in New Zealand.
Tongue tie is when the frenulum, or cord, that stretches from under the tongue to the floor of the mouth is short and restricts mobility - it can lead to issues with eating, teeth, speech, and breastfeeding.
A Ministry of Health senior advisor Kass Jane told the health committee that access to treatment is inconsistent.
"The babies with tongue tie, if breastfeeding is affected then they are able to access treatment which is a frenotomy where the frenulum is cut with a pair of blunt scissors," she said.
"But access to this is variable throughout the country. In some places it is free, in other places the parents will pay up to $700 to have a dentist perform a laser treatment to sever the frenulum."
