Victoria’s first residential eating disorder centre, Ngamai Wilam, opens

A dedicated centre where patients can stay at least 12 weeks will fill a critical gap in treatment options for people experiencing eating disorders, ending the revolving door of short-term hospital admissions.

Victorians will now have access to “life-changing” eating disorder care, with the state’s first public residential treatment centre opening today after more than a year of delays.

The new 12-bed facility, Ngamai Wilam, will offer 24/7 support for Victorians aged 18 and over in a homelike environment in Armadale.

The dedicated centre will fill a critical gap in treatment options for people experiencing eating disorders and end the revolving door of short-term hospital admissions – with people expected to stay for an average of 12 weeks.

Eating disorder cases began skyrocketing in Victoria during the Covid pandemic, as young people spent more time on social media.

Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt. Picture: NewsWire/ David Geraghty

Victorian Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt will open the centre with federal Assistant Minister for Health Ged Kearney on Monday.

“Victoria’s first public residential centre for eating disorders is going to be life-changing – providing critical care in a welcoming, homelike setting that bridges the current gap between community and hospital treatment,” Ms Stitt said.

Ms Kearney said eating disorders were complex, with a range of risks and serious physical complications that make recovery difficult.

“Ngamai Wilam will transform the way care is delivered,” she said.

The name reflects cultural stories that symbolise hope, renewal and the promise of new beginnings, and was chosen through a co-design process.

The wraparound support aims to ease pressure on emergency departments and GPs, while improving the coordination of care across eating disorder, health and mental health services.

Assistant Minister for Health Ged Kearney. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

The centre, operated by Alfred Health, is underpinned by a $16.9m investment from the Victorian government and $13m from the federal government.

Both governments have come under criticism for their response to eating disorder treatment in the state, with funding for the residential facility first pledged by the Morrison government at the 2019 election.

It was first due to open in February 2024 but this was repeatedly pushed back due to construction delays.

Desperate families earlier this year warned the holdup was putting lives at risk.

Victorians have also been forced to travel to Queensland to receive care at the Butterfly Foundation’s residential facility, which offers psychological treatment, advice from dieticians, music and art therapy.

Other states with residential eating disorder facilities now include NSW and the ACT.

The state budget invested $31m to expand tailored services and treatment options for eating disorders.

Labor MP for the Southern Metropolitan region, John Berger, said: “We recognise the vital impact of early intervention for Victorians facing eating disorders challenges, and this new centre is crucial to helping us deliver life-saving care and treatment.”

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