MEDIA RELEASE
September 8, 2025

A pioneering pilot project will provide a dedicated resource to support parents and carers of people with eating disorders admitted for hospital treatment.  

In an Australian first, the Hospital Liaison Officer has launched at both the New Farm Clinic and the Gold Coast Hospital with plans to expand to the Queensland’s Children’s Hospital shortly, providing essential information and support for carers of those with an eating disorder. Support will include discharge guidance, connecting families with community resources, home support services, and follow-up care providers. 

The new hospital liaison role is the brainchild of eating disorder carer charity Eating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA).  

EDFA Executive Director Jane Rowan is confident the employment of a Hospital Liaison Officer will make a significant difference to parents and carers who have a loved one with an eating disorder in hospital. 

“This vital resource is long overdue and we’re expecting positive impacts for parents and carers who will benefit from the Hospital Liaison Officer’s support,” Ms Rowan said. 

“The rest of Australia is watching this project very closely. We already have interest from across Queensland and from other states who know the demand is there for a dedicated resource to steward parents and carers who are thrust into a critical situation when their loved one requires urgent hospitalisation.” 

“Our Hospital Liaison Officer will be right there on the front line, to talk with and comfort  carers, and to guide them in the right direction for essential information and advice.” 

Funding to create the role was provided to EDFA from Queensland giving circle, Women and Change. 

“Women and Change has spent the last decade investing in life-changing projects and our members chose the EDFA Hospital Liaison project because it will change the lives of Queensland families affected by eating disorders,” said Women and Change Chair Genevieve Fraser. 

“By investing one of our 2024 $50,000 major grants in EDFA we hope to be part of embedding this important service in Queensland.” 

Eating disorder experts have welcomed the groundbreaking project. 

“The newly created Hospital Liaison Officer position is a great initiative and will help families and loved ones of people with eating disorders get access to the right information and resources when they need it,” said Associate Professor Warren Ward, Director of the Eating Disorders Program at the Ramsay Clinic in New Farm. 

Senior Staff Specialist Paediatrician at the Gold Coast Hospital, Dr Penny Larcombe, also welcomed the introduction of the new role. “This new initiative is a promising step forward in providing help for eating disorder carers at the hospital front line when carers often need critical support. I’m looking forward to seeing positive impacts for eating disorder carers in the Gold Coast region,” Dr Larcombe said. 

The new Hospital Liaison Officer will have more than 500 Carer Support Kits, containing vital resources from EDFA, the Butterfly Foundation, and the Australia and New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders. These kits will be provided to families in hospital, ensuring they return home with clear information, practical support, and guidance on where to turn for answers as they continue to support their loved one’s recovery. 

The role will have direct engagement with eating disorder carers to support their hospital experience and post-discharge care. 

About eating disorders and EDFA 

In 2023, 4.45% of Australians had an eating disorder diagnosis, equating to 1.1 million Australians, meaning at least 4.4 million Australians are impacted by an eating disorder. The Paying the Price Report also found 1.7 million people will be diagnosed with an eating disorder in their lifetime. Most diagnoses occur during adolescence, with highest rates in those aged 15-19. Women are disproportionally affected, accounting for two-thirds of eating disorder diagnoses.  

There are extensive social and economic costs associated with eating disorders. In 2023, the total economic and social cost of eating disorders in Australia was $67 billion, up 36% since 2012, and equivalent to $60,654 per person with an eating disorder. 

Families and carers of those living with an eating disorder often experience heightened levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and social isolation. In the May 2025 carer survey conducted by EDFA, almost 80% of responding carers said their wellbeing decreased as a result of caring for their loved one. 

 EDFA is the only national organisation focussed on providing support, education, advocacy and counselling services solely to carers and families of those living with an eating disorder. Established in 2016, EDFA currently has more than 3,000 members and has helped hundreds of carers and families over the years.   

EDFA’s website has a wealth of information on eating disorders www.edfa.org.au  
 

MEDIA CONTACTS: 

EDFA Executive Director Jane Rowan is available for interview. Please contact Tracey Adamson at EDFA on tracey.adamson@edfa.org.au or 0475 612 314.