• Palaszczuk Government invests nearly $7 million to fund new eating disorder service at Ipswich Hospital
• This forms part of the $1.645 billion Better Together Plan to improve mental health, alcohol and other drug services, and increase suicide prevention initiatives.
• The new service is expected to begin from early 2024

The Minister for Health, Mental Health, and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman is excited to announce almost $7 million for a brand-new eating disorder service at Ipswich Hospital.

The service will be delivered from Ipswich Hospital from early 2024 and managed by West Moreton and Darling Downs Hospital and Health Services.

The services target leading risk factors for developing eating disorders including poor body image and body dissatisfaction, through behavioural therapies and nutritional education.

West Moreton Health will deliver its service in partnership with Darling Downs Health, under the Regional Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs, and Suicide Prevention Plan.

The new Ipswich service joins $40 million worth of funding for services already announced for Eating Disorders Queensland, Wandi Nerida, Metro South, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns and Hinterland, and Townsville Hospital and Health Services. 

It is part of the Palaszczuk Government’s ongoing commitment to improve mental health, alcohol and other drugs, and support suicide prevention through the $1.645 billion Better Care Together plan.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Health, Mental Health, and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman:

“Since the pandemic, we have seen a rise in eating disorders across the state and we know we need to be doing more.

“Our nearly $7 million investment ensures there will be services in the Ipswich region to help meet the needs of the community.

“I’m proud that our $1.645 billion Better Care Together plan is delivering for Queenslanders and providing mental health initiatives that support their overall health and wellbeing.

“Residents can be assured that the Palaszczuk Government is committed to delivering services closer to home for our rural, remote, and regional communities.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard:

“This is excellent news for the growing Ipswich community. Infrastructure initiatives such as these are instrumental in ensuring the long-term sustainability of our healthcare facilities for generations to come.

“The Palaszczuk Government has made significant investments in the Ipswich community, including the recent opening of the Ripley Satellite Hospital and the ongoing second phase of the Ipswich Hospital Expansion.

“These endeavors have collectively amounted to over $1 billion in funding since my election in 2015, and I am sure there is more funding and projects to come.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Bundamba Lance McCallum:

“People in West Moreton living with an eating disorder will be able to receive the care they need, closer to home.

“This investment is supported by our Mental Health Levy and is part of our ongoing commitment to a healthy, happy and active Ipswich.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Jordan Charis Mullen:

“This service is vital to support the health and wellbeing of our Ipswich residents.

“I’m proud to be part of a government that is delivering on its promise to bring healthcare services closer to home.”