New South Wales first publicly available Residential Eating Disorders Treatment Centre is a step closer, with main building works now underway on the $13 million facility at Newcastle.
Funded through the Commonwealth Government's Community Health and Hospitals Program, the new Centre will accept referrals from all Local Health Districts across NSW.
Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler, said eating disorders are complex with a range of risk factors and physical complications, making recovery difficult.
"The construction of New South Wales first residential eating disorders will be life changing for many."
Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Emma McBride, said with the right support, people can fully recover and yet eating disorders are among the most fatal of mental illnesses.
"This complex will translate our world leading research into practice and provide people in New South Wales with the care that they need."
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the start of main works is a major step forward in enhancing care for patients and families across NSW impacted by eating disorders.
"Eating disorders affect people of all ages, genders and backgrounds. This new Centre will be the first publicly available service of its kind in NSW and will significantly improve the care and treatment of people living with these debilitating conditions," Mr Park said.
"The two-storey, 12-bed facility will include a residential wing, clinic rooms and flexible spaces to deliver 24/7 intensive wrap-around support in a home-like environment."
NSW Minister for Mental Health, Rose Jackson, said the new Centre is designed to bridge the gaps between community-based care and hospital care, providing a more tailored service for those living with an eating disorder.
"Eating disorders are extremely complex illnesses and this new facility will ensure people living with this debilitating illness have access to the services they need to heal," Ms Jackson said.
"An increasing number of Australians each year are impacted by eating disorders, the new facility will give them access to a specialist service that can addresses all aspects of their recovery.
"The facility will offer psychological support, dietetic and medical interventions, recovery support, and arm patients with relapse prevention strategies throughout their stay."
Member of the Legislative Council, Emily Suvaal said this new facility will provide crucial support for people battling with an eating disorder but there is still so much work to be done.
"As someone with lived experience I want to help change the dialogue on community mental health and the importance of providing specialised support services and improving the options available.
"These experiences can be incredibly confronting and isolating, especially for so many young people going through treatment. It is vital that the facilities are designed with a semblance of home to provide as much comfort as possible."
If you, or anyone you know, is experiencing an eating disorder or body image concerns, contact the Butterfly Foundation National Helpline on 1800 33 4673 (ED HOPE) or visit Butterfly.
Ryan Park
NSW Minister for Health, NSW Minister for Regional Health
NSW Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast
Rose Jackson
NSW Minister for Water, NSW Minister for Housing, NSW Minister for Mental Health
NSW Minister for Youth, NSW Minister for the North Coast