Canberrans with anorexia and their supporters have welcomed the news that the ACT Government has opened a design tender for the long-awaited first residential treatment centre for eating disorders.
Emma Davidson, ACT Minister for Mental Health, said the centre would provide a home-like environment where people with eating disorders could receive specialised support, including intensive nutritional and psychological treatment so patients can have safe, healthy relationships with food and exercise.
The residential centre will complement the ACT’s other eating disorder services, such as the eating disorders program, the early intervention service, the clinical hub, primary care and inpatient services.
“This is a significant milestone to ensure that Canberrans with eating disorders have more access to support, particularly for those who sit between low-level and acute, intensive care,” Ms Davidson said. “This program will better support people before and after they reach a crisis point to receive the support they need to manage and recover from their eating disorder.”
The facility is likely to be built on community-zoned land (Block 3, Section 17) in Coombs. The design process will scope whether the site is suitable for the facility. The ACT Government will separately consult with the Molonglo Valley community on the rest of the block.
Two months ago, Kate Steen, a lawyer with anorexia, launched an e-petition calling on the ACT Government to deliver the promised residential facility, expected since Liberal Senator for the ACT Zed Seselja announced in 2019 that the Commonwealth Government would fund $13.5 million for the centre. That money will be funded over three years starting in 2021/22.
“Today’s announcement is a pleasing but long overdue development in the scheme of improving eating disorders services in the ACT,” Mrs Steen said. “My hope is that the rest of the process can be swift, and that Canberrans living with eating disorders can benefit from the residential centre sooner rather than later.”
Marisa Paterson MLA (Labor) sponsored Mrs Steen’s petition. “It is great news for the community that this project is getting underway,” she said. “There is real momentum on this issue now, and I am committed to working with individuals and families in ACT to advocate to ensure that families have the holistic care that is needed.”
Mrs Steen was still concerned, however.
“The reality is that this facility, even when it is built, will likely only be accessible to people living with eating disorders who are relatively stable,” she said.
“There are no specialist inpatient services in the ACT for people who need acute care. The community-based eating disorders services are at capacity, as are the few psychiatrists in the ACT who specialise in eating disorders. This centre is one part of the broader landscape of eating disorders services in the ACT.”
In September, Mrs Steen and eating disorder activist Molly Saunders said 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 (Mrs Steen’s condition) had the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric conditions; and eating disorders had increased in the ACT.
The ACT Government will consult people with lived experience to ensure the centre can meet their needs.
“The community has been advocating for a service like this for some time, and the ACT Government is committed to ensuring we deliver a service that meets the needs of our community,” Ms Davidson said.
“I am grateful for the ongoing contribution from people with lived experience, including through the Eating Disorder Reference Group, to advise on and help the ACT Government progress this important service.”
