North Metropolitan Eating Disorders Specialist Service
The North Metropolitan Eating Disorders Specialist Service (NMEDSS) is a community-based service that provides specialist treatment for eating disorders.
NMEDSS takes a person-centred and recovery-oriented approach to treatment with a multi-disciplinary team consisting of clinical nursing, dietetics, psychology, social work, psychiatry, physician, exercise physiology and peer support.
The service offers a 'step up' from outpatient settings such as clinical psychology, dietetic and general practitioner appointments, as well as a 'step-down' from inpatient settings including hospitals and residential treatment, as part of a continuum of care approach to treatment.
Ultimately our aim is to support people to work towards a fulfilling, valued life without the interference of an eating disorder.
Referral pathways
NMEDSS is available to people aged 16 years and over with a diagnosed eating disorder, who are experiencing difficulties making progress in outpatient treatment, or who are being discharged from hospital-based treatment for their eating disorder.
People must be currently living in the North Metropolitan Health Service (NMHS) catchment area or in associated areas in regional Western Australia.
Services
Day Program
The Day Program is an intensive, highly supportive setting, providing group therapy and clinician-supported meals four days per week. Collaborative agreements outlining treatment requirements and agreed duration are developed with each consumer. Individual consultation with a dietitian and other team members to develop and review individualised treatment and nutrition plans is a cornerstone of the program.
Day program treatment can be empowering. providing a high level of support that may prevent a hospital admission or support a transition to less intensive outpatient treatment following an admission.
Specialist Multidisciplinary Outpatient Clinics
These individual clinics can provide various components of multidisciplinary input aligned to an individual’s needs, to complement or augment existing primary care eating disorder treatment. Clinics including dietetic assessment and support, specialist medical or psychiatric review, peer support and social work input.
The frequency and number of appointments will be tailored to the individual's needs.
Intensive Clinical Monitoring
Intensive clinical monitoring offers close monitoring of physical observations, including cardiac function and blood glucose levels, to ensure physical health is maintained. Brief appointments are offered up to four times each week for several weeks to monitor physical health status.
Referrals
NMEDSS welcomes calls from medical practitioners who wish to refer to the program to discuss eligibility criteria and whether the service would be beneficial for the individual.
Please contact our team on (08) 6458 3100 between 8.30am and 4pm weekdays or email us at Referrals.NMEDSS@health.wa.gov.au.