Eating disorders

What is it?

Outpatient services involve care provided within a hospital or medical clinic setting that doesn’t require a hospital admission. They often involve attending scheduled appointments or participating in group programs or ‘day programs’.

Outpatient services are generally delivered by specialist doctors, nurses and/or allied health professionals and can support you with:

• assessment and diagnosis of an eating disorder
• therapeutic interventions
• information and education.

What can someone expect?

Specialist eating disorder outpatient services and programs for adults are delivered by the statewide Queensland Eating Disorder Service (QuEDS). QuEDS provides assessment, treatment, advice and education services for adults affected by eating disorders, their loved ones and their treating team.

Outpatient services and programs provided by QuEDS include:

• the specialist consultation clinic—involves specialist assessment, diagnostic clarification and treatment recommendations tailored for the needs of someone with a developing or diagnosed eating disorder
• individual outpatient treatment (for 18 years and older)—involves time-limited therapeutic interventions such as cognitive behavioural therapy enhanced (CBT-E) and specialist supportive clinical management (SSCM)
• day program (for 16 years and older)—involves support provided four days per week over an 8-week period, and includes therapeutic groups and supported meals facilitated by a specialised multidisciplinary team.

Additional outpatient services such as allied health may also be available through other public hospital services.

As a family member or carer supporting someone with an eating disorder, you’ll be involved in the outpatient services they receive while working towards their recovery.

QuEDs will provide advice on how to support your loved one to get a diagnosis or access professional support. They may also advise you on how to support your loved one at home or in hospital. Involvement of family members is encouraged in the treatment and planning process as much as possible, provided the person receiving treatment for eating disorders agrees. When a loved one is accessing individual outpatient treatment, families can access individual single-session family consultations, as well as an evening skills group for support.

As a health professional (e.g. GP, psychiatrist, paediatrician, allied health professional), being aware of and connecting your patients with available specialist outpatient services can help you provide the best possible care to someone experiencing an eating disorder.

QuEDS provide the following support for health professionals:

• guidelines and recommendations for medical monitoring and hospital admissions
• the specialist consultation clinic
• treatment advice for medical or psychiatric inpatient and/or community mental health clinicians working with people experiencing eating disorders, to provide support with assessment, management recommendations, discharge planning and admission where required.

Who is this for?

If you’re a carer or key support of someone with an eating disorder, you may want to know how you can assist your loved one if they are accessing outpatient services.

If you’re a health professional who provides care to people who may have an eating disorder, you may be seeking specialist treatment advice or referring your patient onto a specialist outpatient service for assessment, recommendations or treatment.

How can someone access it?

People affected by eating disorders, their treating teams and individual health professionals can contact the QuEDS intake phone service (open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm) or send an email to QuEDS@health.qld.gov.au.

You can find more information about the QuEDS service and download the referral form to refer your patient on the QuEDS website.