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Source: Reuters -
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The estimated 80,000 people in New Zealand with eating disorders now have another place to turn for help.
A new treatment centre in Auckland is being officially opened
today, adding another nine beds to the 19 around the country.
It is part of a $26 million government investment over four years
to help chronic eating disorder sufferers.
The funding was prompted by a report which said there was not
enough help for the most serious cases.
The report in 2007 found eating disorder services at the time were
severely lacking with huge waiting lists for outpatient centres and
unsustainable demand for the one centre which cares for acute
patients in Christchurch.
The opening of the new centre comes after recent news that a
revolutionary treatment for anorexia is being trailed in New
Zealand.
The eating disorder kills more patients than any other mental
illness but just a few years ago, the sector in New Zealand was so
under-resourced that sufferers were sent overseas for help.
In an exclusive report ONE News said the world-first trial has
young anorexic patients listening to short audio tracks before,
during and after every meal.
Auckland researchers hope the year-long trial will help patients
understand feeling hungry or full, aided by relevant
technology.
"We wanted something that wouldn't be out of place if they pulled
it out at school, or at uni, or while they're at a restaurant,"
said Sarah Stanley, the principal researcher.
Also in Auckland another trial is underway for bulimic patients who
must check in with their therapist via text, to stop the high rate
of relapse.
"They'll send that in to the server and we will respond to those
texts in a personalised way based on their reported symptoms,"
researcher Jan Geary told ONE News last month.
