Last year, ACT Labor MLA Dr Marisa Paterson petitioned the ACT Government to improve support services for people in the ACT with eating disorders, and to update the public about eating disorder support services in the ACT.

Today, Emma Davidson, ACT Minister for Mental Health, tabled the government’s response to that petition, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving eating disorder services.

It was, she said, “a significant milestone in reporting on the numerous initiatives undertaken and the future work planned”.

“It demonstrates that the ACT Government is continuing to take strides in the development and coordination of a high-quality eating disorders service system that provides the right care at the right time.”

• Eating disorder petition will be tabled this week
• Petition calls for improved eating disorder services in the ACT

The ACT Eating Disorders Position Statement (2018) promised to “improve eating disorder services in the ACT across the full spectrum of care”, and to keep people out of hospital through early and community-based intervention (health promotion and outpatient services), rather than relying solely on acute services.

Dr Paterson’s petition, tabled in November, called for the government to provide an update on the actions taken to improve access to the Eating Disorders Program; to review the demand for eating disorder support services to ensure appropriate resourcing; and to refresh the Position Statement.

The petition, Starving for Services, Lack of Eating Disorder Services, was started by advocate Kate Steen, and signed by 714 Canberrans.

The petition stated that more than 17,000 Canberrans might suffer from an eating disorder – but those seeking help might wait almost a year to see a specialist, and there were no inpatient facilities in the ACT. People with eating disorders were six times more likely to die prematurely than the wider population; people with anorexia nervosa had the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric conditions; and, advocates believed, eating disorders were rising among both men and women in the ACT.

“The complexity of eating disorders requires multiple services, settings, and agencies to coordinate their efforts and work together,” Ms Davidson said today. “This level of change will take time and requires a staged approach.”

The Territory-wide Model of Care for Eating Disorders (under development) will provide an overview of the integrated, stepped model of care for all public eating disorder services in the ACT, enabling seamless treatment and transition between and across primary care, community care, and hospital settings, Ms Davidson said. Each clinical service’s model of care will be individually reviewed.

Dr Paterson said the Model of Care was encouraging. “The model outlines a stepped approach to eating disorder support services, providing flexibility across the continuum of support from early engagement to ongoing treatment. It recognises the complexity of eating disorders and that they are both a medical and mental illness.”

The Eating Disorders Clinical Hub, launched in January, is the central referral point for public eating disorder services in the ACT. So far, 26 people have accessed the Short-Term Recovery Intervention for Disordered Eating (STRIDE) Program, while parenting groups have helped 19 families. Similarly, a dietician offers nutritional assessments to eligible clients.

Ms Davidson said these provided timelier intervention and increased the Eating Disorders Program’s capacity to see clients and to provide ongoing therapy for more complex cases.

An Early Intervention Service for Eating Disorders will be set up in the 2022/23 financial year. This will promote help-seeking behaviour and early intervention treatment for people in the early stages of developing an eating disorder and those with an eating disorder of low to moderate severity. It is a commitment in the 2019/20 Budget.

A Residential Treatment Centre (a Commonwealth commitment in 2020) will fill the critical gap between inpatient hospitalisation and outpatient programs for a more intensive psychological recovery and improved integration of services. The architect was selected late last year, and has begun designing the building.

Dr Paterson said she was “energised” to see the government’s response, and that she would continue to strongly advocate to ensure appropriate support services were provided for eating disorders in the ACT.

“I am aware of how traumatic and devastating eating disorders are, and I thank again the many individuals and family members who have been – and continue to be – incredibly brave in sharing their stories, and those of their loved ones, to ensure positive outcomes in our community.”

Dr Paterson said she will keep the community updated on the progress of all matters related to eating disorder support services in the ACT through her website, e-newsletter, and Facebook profile.

If you, or someone you know, needs help with an eating disorder, contact The Butterfly Foundation on 1800 334 673.