Tony Ryall

Wellington, July 28 NZPA - There will be more services for people in the upper North Island suffering eating disorders, the Government says.

Health Minister Tony Ryall and Associate Health Minister Jonathan Coleman today confirmed and expanded on additional services previously announced before the May budget.

They were:

* Five dedicated beds at Starship Hospital from October for people with eating disorders under the age of 15; and

* By mid-2010 a new Auckland-based residential service with up to nine beds would be available for adolescents and adults.

The new services would be funded out of an extra $26 million from Mental Health Blueprint funding over four years which the Government announced in May.

"The plan is a good example of DHBs working together, with the services being available to patients in District Health Boards from Northland south to Lakes, Taranaki and Tairawhiti DHBs," Mr Ryall said.

Dr Coleman added the plan coordinated mental health services for people with eating disorders, regardless of the type of treatment they may need.

"The addition of a residential treatment facility will provide a home-like environment for patients, where they can spend time with their families," he said.

Patients would continue to be sent to Australia when appropriate until new services came on line.