May 23, 2006

TORONTO - The Ontario government is supporting treatment programs for people with eating disorders by investing an additional $4.5 million this year, an increase of almost 40 per cent in annual funding, Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman announced today.

"We’re on the side of Ontario families who want and deserve the very best health care, including quality programs to treat eating disorders," Smitherman said. "We’re investing more in treatment so there is a full range of services available close to home to prevent and treat these disorders. This is one more part of our commitment to community mental health."

The funding announced today is going to eight hospitals that provide specialized treatment programs for children, youth and adults with eating disorders. This includes:

• Enhancing the full range of existing programs (inpatient, medical stabilization, day patient and outpatient services)
• Establishing new services, such as intensive inpatient units for children and youth, and outpatient services in the eastern and northern parts of the province to serve adults.

"Eating disorders can lead to serious health problems for both women and men, and we will continue to invest in programs that prevent and treat these illnesses," Smitherman said. "Today’s investment will help more people across Ontario lead healthy lives."

The $4.5-million investment represents a funding increase of 38 per cent, and means the government now is providing $16.1 million annually to eating disorder treatment programs across the province.

"We appreciate the government’s growing support for programs needed to meet the heavy demand for specialized eating disorder services," said Dr. Gail McVey, director of the Ontario Community Outreach Program for Eating Disorders. "This is an important first step and through our continued collaboration, we hope to reach more people in all parts of the province."

This is just the latest example of how the McGuinty government is on the side of Ontario families wanting quality community-based services. Other initiatives include:

• Investing $117.8 million to improve home care and community support services
• Providing $75 million over three years to create an additional 22 Community Health Centres and 17 satellites to improve access to the full range of primary care services, including health promotion and disease prevention
• Investing $68.5 million to improve access to community-based mental health services for 22,910 more Ontarians this year.

Today’s initiative is part of the McGuinty government’s plan for innovation in public health, building a system that delivers on three priorities - keeping Ontarians healthy, reducing wait times and providing better access to doctors and nurses.

For further information :

Members of the general public : (416) 327-4327, or (800) 268-1154

Backgrounder McGuinty Government Invests In Eating Disorders Treatment

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