December 6, 2014 Goya Dmytryshchak
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has intervened in the case of a man with autism who has been shackled to a hospital bed for two weeks.
James Pascoe was taken by police to The Northern Hospital in Epping on November 21. He has been sedated and restrained in his bed since then.
Mr Pascoe had moved back to his the Greensborough house of his parents, Bronwyn and Allan Pascoe, in August after his Department of Human Services accommodation closed.
He was moved to a short-term respite centre at Whittlesea three weeks ago.
Mr Pascoe started showing outbursts and self-harming after the recent deaths of his grandparents, which had caused him to relive the trauma of losing his baby sister who died at age four. Police were called to the Whittlesea respite centre after his behaviour escalated.
The Pascoes launched a petition pleading for Mr Andrews to end their son's suffering and neglect, and provide support so they can bring him home. It has gathered more than 48,000 signatures.
"Last week, he turned 21-years-old and he spent his birthday shackled to a hospital bed," the petition states.
"The government is refusing to fund his support needs properly, so have abandoned him in hospital."
On Saturday, Mr Andrews said he had asked Disability Minister Martin Foley to intervene.
"I've asked Minister Foley to sit down with the family this week," he said.
"He's getting specific advice about the case and the broader issues it raises."
Ms Pascoe said she was hopeful talks would be more effective than with the previous government.
"I hope there will positive outcome in all of this because it's been a nightmare and I wouldn't wish this journey on any parent because it's a difficult road," she said.
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