Page 3867 - Week 11 - Thursday, 24 November 2022

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Ms Stephen-Smith: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:

1) There are no programs on the paediatric high care ward specifically for children and young people admitted to hospital in the context of an eating disorder. A young person needs to be physically well enough before they can undertake any therapy. Once medically stable, programs are developed and individualised for the young person as part of the multidisciplinary meetings. Care planning is undertaken to identify potential supports that would be beneficial for that individual and their specific care needs, this may include the involvement of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

2) The Eating Disorder Program (EDP) is community based and provides evidence-based therapy to eligible clients. These core interventions include Maudsley Family Based Therapy (FBT). Families and significant others are involved as much as it is clinically recommended for the individual person throughout their treatment and recovery.

3) The ACT Government recognises that people with lived experience provide a wealth of insight into how systems can be improved and highly value these contributions. The Expanding Public Health Services for Eating Disorders in the Territory project ensures these views are heard through the Project Reference Group, which includes a parent/carer with lived experience and a community member with direct lived experience of an eating disorder.

4) A review of paediatric services was conducted in 2021, which included the Paediatric High Care ward at the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children. I am advised by Canberra Health Services (CHS) that prior to this review an audit of facilities was conducted in 2015.

a) Please refer to Question on Notice 902 for information regarding the 2021 review of paediatric services. The 2015 audit was conducted by medical representatives from tertiary paediatric services in New South Wales.

b) This audit was a territory wide audit and not funded by CHS.

c) The audit was ‘very impressed with the paediatric facilities and the dedication and professionalism of the nursing, medical and administrative staff’ and found that a fully functioning high dependency unit was justified. At the time of the review in 2015 it was found the Canberra Hospital facilities for paediatric high dependency did not comply with the College of Intensive Care Medicine of Australia and New Zealand standards and the review recommended improved line of sight was necessary to better care for children and young people with high acuity needs.

d) In 2020, as part of the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children Expansion Project, the new Paediatric High Care Ward was opened that delivered a range of improvements to care for children and young people with high acuity needs, including improved line of sight. Work was also undertaken across the organisation to deliver the high dependency capability that reflects the 2015 review recommendations.

5) With the permission of parents or carers, clinicians will engage a multidisciplinary approach to provide care.


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