Supporting someone with an eating disorder

Supporting someone to access services

At QuEDS we strongly recommend that all support people caring for someone affected by an eating disorder access information, resources and their own support options through Eating Disorders Queensland

The Eating disorders Carer help kit website has many useful links and resources as well as service information and a treatment continuum that outlines the different treatment needs each person may have and a matrix that gives an overview of types of treatment and therapy available as well as tips for speaking with treatment providers.

Another great place to start is by visiting the National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC) or reading the Eating Disorders Victoria (EDV) ‘Approaching someone you suspect has an eating disorder’

Your family doctor may also be able to help by discussing options with you and making a referral. In addition, you could encourage the person you support to print off the QuEDS eating disorder referral form and take it to their GP or other health professional to discuss.

You can also call the QuEDS intake service directly on (07) 3114 0809 for guidance on the different options available .If the person is under 18, please contact the Child and Youth Mental Health Service (CYMHS) Eating Disorder Team on (07) 3397 9077.

The Butterfly Foundation Helpline is specifically dedicated to supporting people affected by eating disorders including carers offers information, referrals and brief counselling regarding eating disorders, disordered eating or body image concerns. You can call over the phone on 1300 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673), chat online or talk over email to counsellors are experienced and professionally trained in supporting those affected by an eating disorder and who are also equipped to provide information and guidance on treatment options as well as referral pathways. Butterfly’s National Helpline is open 8am to 12am AEST, 7 days a week (except national public holidays).

The Butterfly Foundation also provides a free online program–Understanding eating disorder recovery–accessible to anyone in Australia. It is facilitated by a qualified counsellor via an online forum. The workshop can help to develop practical skills to support your loved one with an eating disorder in their recovery progress.

Accessing QuEDS Services

Your loved one will need a QuEDS referral form filled out by their GP to access any QuEDS outpatient services. Once they have had their appointment for a referral and had bloods taken at the pathologist, the doctor will need to send the fully completed referral form with the results required to QuEDS for review by our clinical staff. After this review, the administration staff will attempt to phone your loved one to book an appointment. If there is no response on attempts to contact them by phone, they will be booked into the next available clinic appointment and a letter will be mailed to the address listed.

If you have any queries about the clinic please feel free to contact our intake line on (07) 3114 0809. We recommend ongoing fortnightly reviews with their GP (for blood tests and postural physical observations) while on the waiting list for our Specialist consultation clinic.

Attending this clinic will also allow for persons to be assessed for additional QuEDS services suitability, which include our Individual Therapies and Day Program. Private eating disorder specialist options can also be discussed if that is the persons preference.

While we aim to see referred persons as soon as we can, once we receive the referral, there may be a 4-8 week wait for outpatient appointments. The clinic operates on Monday mornings, normal business days.

Attending this clinic is voluntary and free of cost under medicare. It is available to all eating disorder types and BMI ranges.