Eating Disorders Foundation
Reverend the Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes: I ask the Hon. Tony Kelly, on behalf of the Hon. Paul Lynch, the Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Mental Health) the following questions without notice: Is the Minister aware that Eating Disorders—- such as anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating—- affect an estimated 330,000 people in New South Wales, of both sexes, of all ages and of every social and economic background? Is the Minister aware that in New South Wales there is a not-for-profit organisation with highly qualified staff providing support, information, referral and advocacy services to people affected by eating disorders? In particular, is the Minister aware that the Eating Disorders Foundation of New South Wales receives no government funding at all, when all of their counterparts in Victoria, South Australia and Queensland do receive such funding? Can the Minister please indicate if there is any potential for the NSW Eating Disorders Foundation to receive state funding in the future for the vitally important work they do for people in New South Wales?
The Hon. Tony Kelly: I thank the member for his question and undertake to get a speedy response from the Minister responsible.
Deferred answer to Eating Disorders Foundation
The Hon. Tony Kelly: On 6 May 2008, Reverend the Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes asked me a question to pass on to the Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Mental Health). I have been advised by the Minister that the New South Wales Government acknowledges the significant impact eating disorders have on the individual, their parents and carers, and remains committed to the provision of services focused on addressing their impacts. The Minister is aware of the Eating Disorders Foundation of New South Wales that the member alluded to, and the good work it does in providing support, information, referral and advocacy services to people impacted by eating disorders.
In New South Wales the focus of eating disorder funding is on increasing clinical services and treatment programs for sufferers and their families and building capacity for care across the spectrum of clinical service providers, from general practitioners through to tertiary inpatient care. With the mental health enhancement funding for eating disorder services of $4.1 million over four years announced in the 2007 budget, specialist eating disorder services provided through various area health service subspecialties represent at least $2 million per annum for up to 25 specialist eating disorder inpatient beds and 24 intensive day program places across New South Wales.
Persons with eating disorders in New South Wales access treatment at a number of non-dedicated specialist inpatient eating disorder services through general health or medical programs, which represent an additional annual investment of at least $3 million. Mental health services also provide significant non-dedicated eating disorder treatments particularly through child and adolescent services.
