Right Care Right Place: Eating disorder care in my community

Active
Duration:

July 2023 - June 2026

Funding Amount:

$652,057

Locations

all

Melbourne Macedon Ranges Yarra Moonee Valley Darebin Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay Wyndham Brimbank Moorabool Melton Hume Merri-bek

Overview

The Right Care Right Place project aims to increase access to evidence-based treatment for people experiencing, or at risk of developing, an eating disorder. North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) will support health care providers to become more confident and skilled in identifying and treating eating disorders, and will help GPs know when and how to refer, ultimately reducing the strain on specialist and tertiary services.

It is estimated that over 80,000 people within the NWMPHN catchment are living with an eating disorder. This figure represents 4.37 per cent of the population, compared with the national prevalence rate of 3.97 per cent. NWMPHN’s Health Needs Assessment 2022–25 shows eating disorders are a condition seeing dramatically increased hospitalisations.

NWMPHN has partnered with the National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC), and is working alongside three other primary health networks undertaking a similar project (Adelaide PHN, Northern Territory PHN and Western Queensland PHN) to:

  • engage with key primary care stakeholders
  • upskill medical and mental health professionals interested in working in eating disorders
  • complete service mapping across the region
  • employ a service navigator to support timely and appropriate entry into care for people in the NWMPHN region.

The project will be independently evaluated by a team at Flinders University to examine clinical effectiveness and the approach taken by each participating PHN, with a view to the NEDC developing a scalable model.

Outcomes

Expected short- and medium-term outcomes

  • People receive an empathetic and supportive response from primary care providers when signs of an eating disorder are identified or disclosed.
  • People are linked quickly with mental health professionals who are skilled in treating eating disorders using evidence-based models.
  • People begin to address their eating disorder thoughts and behaviours quickly, instead of waiting for care and experiencing worsening symptoms.
  • People access community-based services as needed to maintain recovery after treatment has concluded.

Anticipated long-term outcomes

  • Reduced reliance on tertiary and specialist services, which are often subject to waiting lists and/or significant costs.
  • Eating disorders are addressed earlier, promoting better treatment outcomes.

Anticipated overall goal

  • People in the NWMPHN region with early signs of an eating disorder can access affordable and appropriate community-based services to address these issues in a timely way.

Services involved