Newcastle is to be home to a new State-wide Residential Eating Disorders Treatment Centre, the first publicly-funded service of its kind in NSW.
Announced by the Minister for Mental Health, Bronnie Taylor, the 12-bed centre is to be built at Charlestown and provide specialist support to people with severe eating disorders.
“The Centre will provide wrap-around care in a home-like environment to people who require more support than a day program can provide, but don’t need to be hospitalised,” Mrs Taylor said.
“A multi-disciplinary team of specialists will address all aspects of recovery – the physical, psychological and lifestyle – giving people the best chance of living a full, rich and healthy life,” she said.
“The Centre will also have capacity to provide whole-of-family therapy, which is vital to the ongoing treatment and recovery of those experiencing an eating disorder.”
Mrs Taylor said that every three months more than 1,600 people living with an eating disorder in NSW sought care from a State Hospital, mental health service or emergency department.
“The site at Charlestown, owned by Hunter New England Local Health District, was chosen for its residential location and proximity to retail services and public transport links,” the Minister said.
She said the Centre would accept referrals from Local Health Districts across NSW.
Mrs Taylor said construction was scheduled to commence later this year and was anticipated to be completed by mid-2023.
