Construction of Victoria's first Public Residential Eating Disorder Treatment Centre (RED-TC) in Melbourne's East will soon begin, thanks to a joint investment from the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments.
Minister for Mental Health Gabrielle Williams today announced that the Victorian Budget 2023/24 invests $16.9 million in funding to get the service up and running, delivering 24/7 support for Victorians who need it.
This funding builds on the $13 million provided by the Commonwealth for the service - which will provide comprehensive, specialist and recovery-focused treatment for Victorians aged 18 and over living with an eating disorder.
The RED-TC will offer a unique model of care that will not only reduce pressure on emergency departments, hospital and primary healthcare services but will offer a therapeutic, home-like environment with 24/7 support, filling the gap between acute and primary healthcare for Victorians.
Located in Armadale, the centre - open to Victorians from anywhere around the state - will be operated by the Alfred Hospital. The tender for its construction will be released in coming days, with building set to begin later this year before the service is complete and open in 2024.
The Victorian Budget 2023/24 also invests $2.2 million to ensure Eating Disorders Victoria and the Centre for Excellence in Eating Disorders to continue supporting consumers, their carers, families and supporters.
This funding builds a package of more than $20 million for eating disorders in the Victorian Budget 2022/23, which is supporting 3,200 Victorians and expanding capacity to help an extra 1,100 more people.
Building on this critical funding, the Labor Government is also developing a new eating disorders strategy to be released later this year - which will guide high-quality, safe and evidence-informed practices in promotion, prevention, early intervention and treatment for Victorians with or at risk of developing an eating disorder.
We promised Victorians we'd build our mental health system from the ground up, and that we'd implement every single recommendation from the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System, which is exactly what we are doing.
Over $6 billion has been invested in mental health and wellbeing over the past three years - the largest investment in mental health in Victoria's history with work underway on 90 per cent of Royal Commission recommendations.
As stated by Victorian Minister for Mental Health Gabrielle Williams
"This live-in centre is a life-changing model of care for people with eating disorders. Holistic and wraparound treatment in a welcoming, home-like setting provides the best road to recovery."
As stated by Federal Minister for Health Mark Butler
"Eating disorders are complex with a range of risk factors and physical complications, making recovery difficult. The construction of Victoria's first residential eating disorders will be life changing for many."
