GP items for eating disorders on the way

Patient access to psychological and dietetic sessions will quadrupled under the reform
Lydia Hales
GP consult

GPs will have access to 30 new MBS items specifically for eating disorders from 1 November, following recommendations of an MBS Taskforce Review last year.  

The items apply to patients with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder or other specified feeding or eating disorders who meet eligibility criteria set out under MBS rules, the Department of Health says.

They include 12 GP items for the preparation of an Eating Disorder Treatment and Management plan, which will replace the current combined use of mental health and chronic disease care plans. 

There are also six items for regular GP reviews of patient progress against the plans, and a further 12 for the provision of psychological treatment services.