Funding for eating disorders welcomed in the bush

Making treatment more accessible, Burnett residents with severe eating disorders will now be able to receive a comprehensive treatment plan under Medicare.　

RURAL ADVOCATE: Dr Adam Coltzau of the RDAA welcomes funding for the treatment of eating disorders. Picture: Mackenzie Colahan

IN THE Burnett, access to treatment for mental illness can be limited by stigma and fear around confidentiality, and when you throw distance and a lack of funding in the mix, help can seem a world away.

Making treatment more accessible, Australians with severe eating disorders will now be able to receive a comprehensive treatment plan under Medicare.　

Through a new initiative funded by the Federal Government, patients will be able to access up to 40 psychological services and 20 dietetic services each year, under Medicare, from November 1 next year.

The Rural Doctors Association of Australia has welcomed the announcement with President Dr Adam Coltzau commending the government.

"Mental health issues - including severe eating disorders - do not discriminate, and they place extreme pressure not only on the patient themselves but their families too,” he said.　

"Severe eating disorders affect people of all ages and from all walks of life, and Australians living in rural and remote areas are equally affected.　

"Severe eating disorders also have the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness.”

Dr Coltzau said the difficulties to-date in accessing ongoing Medicare-funded treatment for severe eating disorders has added to the immense pressure faced by patients and their families in trying to help their loved ones get better.　

"Providing a comprehensive treatment plan through Medicare for severe eating disorders makes perfect sense, and will go a long way to helping those with severe eating disorders to seek the help they need,” Dr Coltzau said.

"We would now also really like to see these services available via telehealth to those living in rural and remote areas. This is a very specialist field so patients with severe eating disorders, including those in the bush, really need the help of specially trained psychologists and dietitians to assist their recovery.　

"Unfortunately, many of these health professionals are based in the cities or larger regional centres, making it hard for those living in rural and remote areas to access their help.”　

Dr Coltzau said said that ensuring consultations with these health professionals are available to rural and remote Australians via phone hook-ups or videoconferencing, in conjunction with treatment provided by their local doctor, would greatly assist in patients being able to get better.