People with eating disorders to benefit from Plan

28 July 2009

Media Release

People with eating disorders to benefit from new Plan
Northern Region Eating Disorders Services Implementation Plan Announced

People with eating disorders in the Northern Region will soon benefit from improved inpatient and residential treatment services as well as enhanced community-based services, it was announced today.

The Northern Regional Eating Disorders Services Implementation Plan, released by the Northern Region DHBs Support Agency, outlines a whole of region approach to ensure better outcomes for people who suffer from eating disorders.

Regional Director - Mental Health & Addiction Services, Ian McKenzie, said developments within the Plan offered an integrated range of services that supported flexible delivery of safe and effective interventions, regardless of the clinical pathway followed.

“Just two months ago Health Minister Tony Ryall announced an extra $26 million of new Mental Health Blueprint Money over four years toward eating disorder services nationally,” explained Mr McKenzie.

“Knowing that additional funding will be made available has helped us to plan for the development of new services and to broaden the range of treatment options available locally. For example, there is an emphasis on the development of evidence-based and effective care and treatment across the continuum, including building local district capacity for early identification, intervention and improved service coordination,” he said.

New inpatient services based at Starship Hospital for patients younger than 15 years are expected by October this year and by mid next year residential treatment services for patients aged over 15 years are expected to begin.

“The addition of a residential treatment facility will provide a much more home-like environment where patients can spend time with their families,” said Mr McKenzie adding that while new residential treatment services will mean patients and their families will not have to travel to Australia; DHBs would only stop sending patients to Australia once services were fully operational.

”The development of high priority services in the expected timeframes will be challenging, but we’ve identified additional capacity to lead the establishment of new services and workforce development to help minimise potential disruptions to existing service provision.

“Achieving better outcomes for children, adolescents, adults and families is a priority and what we hope to achieve with this Plan,” said Mr McKenzie.

The improved inpatient and residential treatment services will be based in Auckland, but will be accessible by the population from Midlands to Northland

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Services at a Glance

Copies of the plans are available on the Northern DHB Support Agency’s website http://www.ndsa.co.nz/default.aspx?_z=327

Current Services in Auckland
The Northern Region Eating Disorders Service is a specialist service providing an evidence-based outpatient treatment approach across the metro Auckland region. The service operates an intensive and shared care programme. Both programmes include medical and nutritional management, psycho-education, individual psychotherapy, family meetings and a range of group therapies. Support is offered to Northland District Health Board clinicians.

In addition the Regional Eating Disorders Service provides consultation, training and supervision of staff.

DHBs (Northern Region) Accepted Referrals
Total 175 (for 2006/7)
Total 200 (for 2007/08)

Opening hours 8-6pm 5 days a week.

Sydney Services:
Some patients are currently required to travel to Australia to receive inpatient residential treatment. However, sending patients to Sydney is not the Northern region's preferred option. The Regional Eating Disorders Service takes a strong lead in coordinating and informing the region around the decisions for referral to the Sydney facilities.

Facts and figures (June 2009)
/ ADHB / CMDHB / WDHB
treated locally over the year (approx figures) / 80 / 40 / 80
treated in Sydney over last year / 5 / 3 / 4

In the previous 12 month period seven patients received care in Sydney and between December 06 and May 07, one patient travelled off shore.

New and Improved Services under new Plan announced today
A range of acute services that will be able to respond flexibly to meet the individuals’ need:
• Medical stabilisation in local medical wards for people aged over 15 yrs with enhanced liaison services supporting admissions
• Enhanced capacity of Starship Children’s Hospital to provide dedicated paediatric medical beds for those aged 15 yrs and younger supported by eating disorders treatment
• Establishment of residential treatment services for people aged 15 years and older delivered in partnership between ADHB provider and an NGO provider
• Development of day programmes for people aged 15 years and older aligned to the establishment of residential treatment services and the intensive outpatient programme

Building local expertise and capacity to support a range of services including initial screening, early intervention, care planning, health monitoring, evidence-based treatment, service referrals and continuity of care.

Local service development will support:
• people to receive safe and effective home or community-based care
• more effective utilisation of the specialist eating disorders resource

Facts and figures (June 2009)
• 7-8 new residential treatment facility beds
• 4 new dedicated beds for under15 year olds at Starship hospital: and;
• Provision for building workforce capacity and workforce development including training to support these services

Noting that a bed will also be provided in each of Starship and the new residential services to be meet Midland’s needs.

-ENDS-

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