Specialist eating disorder service opens in southern corridor

• New community-based eating disorder service opens in Cockburn
• Run by the South Metropolitan Health Service for people aged 16 years and over
• Purpose-built facility features kitchen and dining area for therapeutic interventions
• Part of the Cook Government's $31.7 million expansion of eating disorder treatment programs across the State

A new purpose-built eating disorder service has opened in Cockburn to expand community-based treatment for patients in the southern corridor.

South Metropolitan Health Service's Kara Maar service is part of the Cook Government's $31.7 million commitment to expand eating disorder treatment programs across the State.

The service offers triage and assessment, multidisciplinary outpatient clinics, day programs, meal support, care coordination and clinical monitoring for people aged 16 years and older.

Patients will receive care tailored to their individual needs by a highly skilled team of health specialists, including psychiatrists, psychologists, dieticians, social workers and Aboriginal mental health workers.

Consultation rooms, a sensory room to support patients to manage emotional distress, a lounge area and audio-visual connections for telehealth are features of the purpose-built facility.

In a WA first, the service design also includes an inbuilt kitchen with meal preparation and cooking areas, and a dining area providing therapeutic interventions for patients.

Kara Marr is now receiving referrals for people who have recently been an inpatient in the South Metropolitan Health Service. The first patients will attend the service in late December 2023, with plans to expand to other patient groups in 2024.

Similar services are also now operating in the east and north metropolitan areas.

The service's step-up, step-down model is built on the principles of person-centred and evidence-based care and aligned to the National Eating Disorders Collaboration stepped system of care - a continuum of primary, secondary and tertiary health care settings for inpatient or community patients.

The name Kara Maar was developed in consultation with local Elders. 'Kara' is the Noongar name for the milkmaid plant, an edible flower and food source representing sustenance. 'Maar' is the Noongar name for 'hand', signifying the service's support and healing for patients on their recovery journey.

A satellite Kara Maar service has also been established at Peel Health Hub in Mandurah.

Comments attributed to Health and Mental Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:

"Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions with significant psychological, physical and social effects on the individual and their friends and family.

"The Cook Government recognises the importance of and need for more community-based treatments and is investing in services to better meet the needs of patients.

"Kara Maar will have a positive impact on people needing treatment, care and support and in a WA first, it includes an inbuilt kitchen with meal preparation and cooking areas, and a dining area providing therapeutic interventions for patients."

Comments attributed to Cockburn MLA David Scaife:

"The service is a valuable addition to public healthcare in Cockburn, offering assessment, multidisciplinary outpatient clinics, day programs, meal support, care coordination and clinical monitoring for people aged 16 years and older.

"Importantly, patients will receive care tailored to their individual needs by a highly skilled team of health specialists."

Comments attributed to Peel MLA David Templeman:

"The Kara Maar satellite service that has been established at Peel Health Hub in Mandurah is a welcome expansion to treatment services in our community.

"The Cook Government is committed to boosting access to public healthcare in Peel and this service will be hugely beneficial."