Accessing Treatment Services in Victoria: Advice For Health Professionals
Eating disorders are serious psychological conditions, which frequently have severe medical consequences. People experiencing eating disorders will need to access both mental health care and physical (acute) health care services for assessment and treatment.
Public Mental Health Services:
www.health.vic.gov.au/mentalhealth/services/
Public Mental Health Services in Victoria are regionalised. The health.vic.gov.au site provides a guide to local area mental health services and contact / triage service details. People with a suspected eating disorder should be referred / arrange to see to their general practitioner for initial assessment of their physical and psychological risk. Contact local mental health triage to discuss crisis (medical or psychiatric) referral and support, community mental health treatment services and specialist eating disorder treatment services.
Public Mental Health Services for people under the age of 18 years:
www.health.vic.gov.au/mentalhealth/services/child/
GPs are encouraged to contact local mental health triage to discuss crisis (medical or psychiatric) referral and support, community Child and Adolescent mental health treatment services and specialist ED day treatment services
Patients should be referred to the local Child and Adolescent / Youth Mental Health Service (CAMHS / CYMHS). www.health.vic.gov.au/mentalhealth/services/child/
For people with a complex medical presentation, in addition to referral to CAMHS, consider referral to a paediatrician.
For patients with acute medical risk arrange admission to a paediatric medical unit. Tertiary, inpatient and outpatient medical treatment for children and adolescents with eating disorders is offered by the Paediatric Units at:
The Austin Hospital www.austin.org.au/Content.aspx?topicID=808
Monash Medical Centre http://www.southernhealth.org.au/content/Document/147c_adolescent_clinic_service_summary%5B1%5D.pdf
The Royal Children’s Hospital www.rch.org.au/cah
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The Royal Children’s Hospital Eating Disorders Program is a collaboration between the RCH Centre for Adolescent Health, RCH Integrated Mental Health Programs, the University of Melbourne and the University of Chicago. The service offers an assessment clinic, outpatient Family-Based Treatment and inpatient paediatric treatment for young people and families living in the western metropolitan region of Melbourne. www.rch.org.au/cah/services.cfm?doc_id=13464 - Barwon Health Youth Mental Health, Drug & Alcohol Service (JIGSAW) offers an assessment and treatment service for eating disorders (age range 15 – 25yrs). Ph: 5226 7075 http://www.barwonhealth.org.au/services/mentalhealth/Service,documentId,9107.aspx The catchment area for this service is the Barwon region.
- Southern Health Butterfly Eating Disorders Day Program (age range 12-24 yrs) http://www.southernhealth.org.au/page/GPs/Mental_Health/Eating_Disorders
Phone the Triage Service on 1300 369 012. The catchment area for this service includes Southern Health, Pennisula Health and Gippsland regions.
Public Mental Health Services for adults (people 18 years and over):
www.health.vic.gov.au/mentalhealth/services/adult/
GPs are encouraged to contact local mental health triage to discuss crisis (medical or psychiatric) referral and support, community MH treatment services and specialist eating disorder day and inpatient treatment services.
General Practitioners are encouraged to contact their local Primary Mental Health & Early Intervention Service for clinical support, secondary consultation and brief treatment interventions. www.health.vic.gov.au/mentalhealth/services/adult/
This service may recommend further treatment from community health services, private practitioners or referral to local specialist mental health services dependant on client needs.
Low Cost / Community Health / Not for Profit Services:
- The Bouverie Centre - provides family approaches in mental health service provision including eating disorders www.latrobe.edu.au/bouverie/
- Headspace – Australia’s Youth Mental Health Foundation -
www.headspace.org.au
- ‘Mindful Moderate Eating Group’ - Swinburne University Psychology Clinic – a women only group program addressing psychological factors related to binge eating and helping participants to develop a new relationship with food www.swin.edu.au/pc
- Monashlink Community Health Service Disordered Eating Service – provides psychological and dietetic treatment for people with mild to moderate eating disorders www.monashlink.org.au Intake and Referral Officer: 1300 552 509
- ‘Set Your Body Free Program’ - Latrobe University School of Psychological Sciences www.latrobe.edu.au/psy/projects/bodyfree/
Private Sector (fee for service) Services:
The Geelong Clinic www.healthscopehospitals.com.au
The Mandometer Clinic www.mandometer.com
The Melbourne Clinic www.melbourneclinic.com.au
RIPE treatment for eating disorders www.recoveryispossible.com.au
Advice for Consumers & Carers
Key access points for getting help with an eating disorder:
First see your GP for medical assessment and to commence a mental health assessment. Your GP will help you explore treatment options, from public mental health services through to private psychologists and psychiatrists.
The Eating Disorders Victoria is the consumer and carer organisation that provides support and advice for people with eating disorders and their families. They can be contacted on 9885 0318 or toll free on 1300 550 236 or at www.eatingdisorders.org.au. EDV also maintains a list of health professionals who have an interest in working in this field.
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