Eating Disorders

In the case of chest pains, fainting or difficulty breathing, or if the GP has concerns (for example, due to cardiac complications or electrolyte disturbance), or there is a mental health emergency, go to the nearest emergency department or call 000.  

In the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD), these are:  

• St George Hospital (all ages) 
• Sutherland Hospital (all ages) 
• Prince of Wales Hospital (16+)  
• Sydney Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital (16+) 
• Sydney Childrens Hospital Randwick (<16) (operated by the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network) 

Click here for more information on our emergency departments

Your General Practioner (GP) can develop a mental health treatment plan with you and make a referral to a mental health professional (e.g., psychologist, mental health social worker, counsellor) and dietitian.  

An Eating Disorder Plan gives you access to up to 40 Medicare-subsidised sessions with a mental health clinician and up to 20 Medicare-subsidised sessions with a dietitian over a 12-month period.  This means that a portion of the cost of your sessions with a health provider will be covered by Medicare, however, there are usually out of pocket costs as well. 

Your GP may also make a referral to a psychiatrist or paediatrician if this is appropriate. 

To find a local clinician, use the connect-ed clinician finder or Butterfly Foundation treatment services database.  

You may be eligible for free Psychological Support Services due to financial hardship or low income (individual income below $55 000 or family income below $130 000).  A GP Mental Health Treatment Plan and Healthlink referral is required to the Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network.  Ask your GP for more information. 

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services:

For young people (<18) living in South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, your local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) may be able to provide treatment for eating disorders classified as moderate to severe. Contact the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511 for more information.  

Outpatient Paediatric Clinics:

Children’s Acute Review Service (CARS)
The CARS outpatient service is available for children (<16) in the Sutherland Shire who require a specialist paediatric medical consultation in the acute stage of an illness or as a follow-up review in the recovery period post medical admission.

Department of Paediatrics - The Sutherland Hospital
Phone: 9540 8484
Referral by Fax: 9540 8485

St George Paediatric Eating Disorders Clinic
The St George Paediatric Eating Disorder Clinic is an outpatient service contributing expertise from an eating disorder informed general paediatrician and dietitian. This functions to support medical monitoring and nutritional rehabilitation in the community alongside public or private eating disorder treatment.  

Children's Ward - St George Hospital
More information
Phone: 02 9113 1925
Online Referral

For consumers who have engaged in treatment, but require a higher-level of care, there are tertiary services in NSW. Discuss with your treating team whether these services may be appropriate.  

For Adults: Peter Beumont Eating Disorders Service at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH) 

For Children (<16):  The Children's Hospital Westmead and Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick as part of the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network (SCHN) 

There are several mental health support lines that can provide guidance and crisis counselling if you or someone you care for are experiencing an eating disorder, emotional distress and/or having thoughts about dying. 

Butterfly National Helpline (eating disorder specific helpline): 1800 33 4673 (8am-midnight, 7 days) 

Headspace online chat (9am-1pm, 7 days) 

Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 or online (24 hours, 7 days) 

Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24 hours, 7 days)

Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511 (24 hours, 7 days) 

Suicide Callback Service: 1300 659 467 (24 hours, 7 days) 

Butterfly Foundation 

The Butterfly National Helpline offers free and confidential support for anyone concerned about eating disorders or body image issues. They offer support over the phone, by email and by online chat. Their website includes: 

• Information about eating disorders and body image 
• Information and resources about treatment, care and support 
• Referrals to health practitioners who understand eating disorders 
• Counselling 

They’re open 8am – midnight (AEST/AEDT), seven days. 

Inside Out Institute for Eating Disorders 

Inside Out provides resources and referral information for people experiencing eating disorders and their families and carers.  Their website also has information, resources and online training for GPs and health professionals working with people with eating disorders. 

National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC) 

The NEDC is a national Australian organisation that offers resources, training and information about treatment of eating disorders. 

There are private options for hospitalisation and intensive treatment programs, which can be found by searching the Butterfly database

Butterfly Foundation 

The Butterfly National Helpline offers free and confidential support for anyone concerned about eating disorders or body image issues. Butterfly also offers support groups, virtual support programs and webinar workshops for people experiencing disordered eating, eating disorders and body image concerns, as well as for anyone who cares about them. 

Eating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA) 

EDFA provide lived family and carer experience support, education, advocacy, and counselling for carers and families impacted by an eating disorder. They offer online support groups, education seminars, resources and peer support for carers and families. 

There is a membership cost of $35 per person or $55 per family per year. 

Phone: 1300 195 626 

F.E.A.S.T. 

F.E.A.S.T. is an international non-government organisation for parents and carers of loved ones affected by eating disorders.  They offer free programs, peer support groups and forums, information and resources. 

Inside Out Institute for Eating Disorders 

Inside Out provides resources and referral information for people experiencing eating disorders and their families and carers.  Their website also has information, resources and online training for GPs and health professionals working with people with eating disorders. 

Stride Family & Carer Program, South Eastern Sydney 

Stride’s Family and Carers Program aims to ensure that families and carers of people with a mental health concern are adequately supported and have sufficient information and skills to fulfil their caring roles. 

An online support group is also run for all Stride Family and Carers concerned for a loved one with body image issues, body dysmorphia and all forms of disordered eating. 

Email: Familyandcarer@stride.com.au 

Phone: 8287 6810 

The Shared Table

An online meal support training program for carers developed by Eating Disorders Queensland. There is a program for carers engaged in Family Based Therapy (FBT) for eating disorders and another for carers not engaged in FBT. 

Treatment pathways:

HealthPathways

HealthPathways offers primary care clinicians locally agreed information to make the right decisions, together with patients, at the point of care.  

SESLHD Eating Disorders Coordinator 

GPs and other health professionals can call the Eating Disorders Coordinator on 0499 868 772 (Monday to Friday) for support around navigating treatment pathways such as to discuss the appropriateness of an admission or options for community mental health treatment. 

Training 

Inside Out Insitute

The Inside Out Institute offers eLearning courses for GPs and health professionals working with people with eating disorders. 

The National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC)

NEDC offers free online, foundational eating disorder training for GPs,  and mental health professionals and fertility care professionals.