The Provincial Government, in conjunction with Eastern Health, is pleased to announce the opening of a dedicated four-bed inpatient eating disorder unit at the Health Sciences Centre.
To accommodate the new unit, $700,000 was spent to renovate existing space within the psychiatry unit and $444,800 has been allocated through Budget 2018 to support the operations. The unit provides assessment and specialized treatment for those who are acutely ill with an eating disorder and therefore too unwell to participate in outpatient programming. In addition to the beds, there is also a space for meals as well as space for families to participate in the treatment plan and support their family member. Patients have already been admitted to the unit and are receiving treatment.
An interdisciplinary team has been hired and is in place to support this specialized program. The team includes psychiatric nurses, a psychologist, dietitian, occupational therapist and social worker. A focus for this team will be to ensure a continuum of services for individuals and their families as they transition through outpatient, inpatient and follow-up care.
The Provincial Government continues to change the way services are delivered through the implementation of Towards Recovery: The Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador.
This initiative delivers on commitments in The Way Forward to deliver better services and better outcomes for residents. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.
Quotes
“Working with the Eating Disorder Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador, our government is pleased to bring to reality this vision for treatment in this province. The unit will provide the right care, by the right professionals, to those with eating disorders and their families. This important facility will help to bring about real change in people’s live and help encourage healing.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Health and Community Services
“The establishment of an Eating Disorder Inpatient Intensive Care Treatment Program is a very positive step in our efforts to support families who require much needed inpatient treatment. Coupled with successful Janeway and Hope Outpatient Programs it represents a major breakthrough as we respond to what is a growing eating disorder epidemic particularly amongst our adolescent population. Speaking for our families we are grateful for this initiative and want to express to Premier Dwight Ball and Minister John Haggie our appreciation for keeping their promise to provide such a facility. The overall treatment and support services for our eating disorder families have improved significantly over the past several years resulting in many successful treatment outcomes.”
Vince Withers
Chair of the Eating Disorder Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador
“Eastern Health is pleased to open the new four-bed eating disorder inpatient treatment program at the Health Sciences Centre. Treating individuals with eating disorders can be a complicated and challenging process for health care providers, clients and their families. The development of this inpatient treatment program enhances the service we provide to persons with eating disorders and their families and will help fill in gaps in the care continuum. This new unit, along with other eating disorders services currently offered by Eastern Health, helps us support individuals throughout their journey to recovery.”
David Diamond
President and CEO, Eastern Health
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Learn More
Towards Recovery: The Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador
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Media contacts
Emily Timmins
Health and Community Services
709-729-6986, 693-1292
emilytimmins@gov.nl.ca
Vince Withers
Eating Disorder Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador
709-682-4440
Tracey Boland
Eastern Health
709-777-1412
traceyl.boland@easternhealth.ca