Eating Disorders Program

The program accepts referrals for young people up to 16 years.

Referrals are accepted statewide and can be made by:

• general practitioner
• school psychologist
• paediatrician
• psychiatrist
• the young person themselves or their parent
• any other agency the young person may be in contact with.

The referral should be made to the Eating Disorders Program. See contact details at the end of this page.

If an emergency assessment is required please contact the triage coordinator on 9340 7012 during business hours or the Acute Response Team on 1800 048 636.

After a young person is referred to the Eating Disorders Program they are offered an appointment for a thorough assessment or offered alternative services that may be more suitable to their needs.

Following the assessment period, the young person and their family may be offered ongoing treatment with the program or referred to an alternative service that may better suit their individual needs. The treatment program will be a collaborative effort between the young person, their family and the service.

Care coordinator

A care coordinator is allocated to everyone receiving treatment to assist communication between the young person, their family, and the Eating Disorders Program team to make sure the young person receives the best combination of services to meet their needs.

Medical assessment and subsequent follow-up appointments are essential to ensure the young person is medically safe and receives treatment that is essential to address the consequences of starvation and the effect this has on their lives.

Other treatments that are provided include:

• nutritional assessment and follow up by a dietitian
• physiotherapy assessment and treatment
• body awareness therapy
• school assessment and support
• educational assessment (an integral part of treatment).

Treatment may occur in an outpatient, day patient or inpatient setting or combination of these as required.

The philosophy of the EDP is to treat young people in their home, school and community for the most part.

Admissions to hospital only occur when the young person’s weight or symptoms are severe enough to cause serious medical concern. The aim of the admission is to stabilise the medical and physical symptoms and maintain a safer weight.

Current and past patients of the EDP, (as well as their families and carers), are encouraged to get involved with the programs and groups below:

• F.A.C.E.S. (freedom, advocacy, change, experience, support) – a monthly group meeting of young people who have previously experienced an eating disorder and received treatment from the program.
• Father’s group – an evening group for the dads of current patients.
• Reaching out for hope (ROFH) – a group where young people in the program hear experiences from others who have recovered from an eating disorder. (This group is a collaboration with the Women’s Health and Family Services Body Esteem Program.)
• Carer advisory group/peer mentoring – A carer advisory group and carer peer support programs are in development, with expected implementation in late 2016.

As a patient of the EDP you are entitled to have any complaint dealt with objectively.

Young people and their families or guardians may approach a team member with any concerns they have about treatment. The customer liaison services are also available to discuss your concerns.