• About CEED
• CEED Consultation Service
• Professional training & education
• Clinical resources
• Services in Victoria
• About eating disorders
• ED Discussion
• Links
• Contact us

Print version

 

Services in Victoria

Accessing Treatment Services in Victoria

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 specialist mental health services play an important role in assessing and treating people with mental health problems and disorders, including eating disorders.

 

Advice For Health Professionals

 

Primary Care & Public Sector Services:

www.health.vic.gov.au/mentalhealth/services/

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.

• 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 MH treatment services and specialist ED day treatment services

Patients should be referred to the local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).

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, medical treatment for children and adolescents with eating disorders is offered by the Paediatric Units at:

• The Austin Hospital
• Monash Medical Centre
• The Centre for Adolescent Health at The Royal Children's Hospital also offers assessment and acute medical treatment for anorexia nervosa for people living in the western metropolitan and western rural regions of Victoria.

 

• For adults (people over 18years):

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. 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 / 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
  
• ‘Moderate Eating Group'  - Swinburne University Psychology Clinic:     www.swin.edu.au/pc
  
• ‘Set Your Body Free Program'  - Latrobe University School of Psychological Sciences:    www.latrobe.edu.au/psy/projects/bodyfree/

 

Private Sector (fee paying) Services:

• The Geelong Clinic                                                               www.healthscopehospitals.com.au
• The Mandometer Clinic                                                         www.mandometer.com
• The Melbourne Clinic                                                            www.healthscopehospitals.com.au
• The Oak House treatment service                                           www.theoakhouse.com.au
• RIPE treatment for eating disorders                                       www.recoveryispossible.com.au
• St Vincent's Body Image and Eating Disorders Service         Ph: 9854 1700

 

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 Foundation (Vic) 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. The EDFV also maintains a list of health professionals who have an interest in working in this field.