A complete policy restructure is required to address rising eating disorder rates and associated problems within Tasmania, a leading expert says.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Earlier this year a senior Tasmanian Health service staff member told The Examiner that adults in Tasmania, who are living with eating disorders, had no options when it came to accessing public specialised care.
The situation was slightly better for children and adolescents who could access care through the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Since then a leaked internal report on the CAMHS found it was drastically underfunded, with two out of three sites unsuitable and doctors not referring their "most difficult" patients to the service because it was unable to help.
Now, with the state budget set to be handed down next week, InsideOut Institute director Dr Sarah Maguire said it's time for a rethink of eating disorder services in the state.
She said Tasmania had fallen behind most other states in Australia and the lack of services was a major concern.
"Most of the time we are talking about urgent gaps in services that need to be funded ... it has actually gone beyond that," Dr Maguire said.
"There are so many gaps in the service spectrum for both children, adolescents and adults with eating disorders in Tasmania that it is not really about funding a single service.
Tammy Rowlings has had two daughters suffer from eating disorders. Her youngest daughter was being treated through CAMHS, before being removed recently after not getting the care she required.
She has grown increasingly frustrated at the level of services available in Tasmania, and in particular Northern Tasmania.
Ms Rowlings, who coordinates a support group for families of people with eating disorders, said other parents were equally as frustrated.
"It is like where does it fit in the grand scheme of things ... do they see it as a priority for Tasmania," Ms Rowlings said.
Butterfly Foundation chief executive officer Kevin Barrow said every Tasmanian living with an eating disorder deserved to have access to quality care.
IN RELATED NEWS:
- Level of specialised eating disorder services questioned by experts
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Review draft report highlights system's shortcomings
- A new support group for parents and carers of people with eating disorders has started up in Launceston
- Sam Ikin is hosting and producing Butterfly Foundation's Let's Talk podcast
He said for the past two years the organisation had been providing a peer support group with funding from the state government, but it was now looking to expand that service. "There are currently 21,000 Tasmanians living with an eating disorder," Mr Barrow said.
"Currently Tasmania does not have specialist eating disorder services for adults, publicly funded inpatient programs or an adequate number of private practices that specialise in eating disorders.
"This means there are frequently long waitlists for existing services and significant costs become a barrier to treatment."
When asked if the government would commit to providing more funding for the treatment of eating disorders in the upcoming budget, a government spokesperson pointed to the development of a residential facility in Hobart. The spokesperson said the state government would receive $10 million over five years to build the facility.
"The Department of Health has established a dedicated project team, and qualified and experienced Steering Committee and Working Group ... to ensure that the facility, and services provided there, will be based on the best available evidence to meet the specific needs of Tasmanians experiencing an eating disorder," the spokesperson said.
"Although the model of care is still under development, the treatment centre will include a residential services stream, and a day program stream, and it is currently envisioned to be an all ages service."
- If you or anyone you know is experiencing an eating disorder or body image concern support is available: Butterfly Foundation National Helpline, 1800 33 4673.
Sign up to one of our newsletters: