Program Development Underway After Proposal Approval
SARNIA & PETROLIA – April 8, 2022 – Bluewater Health is pleased to announce a new Eating Disorders Intensive Outreach Program. Launching in a few months, this will expand eating disorder services available at Bluewater Health, and includes annualized funding of $382,000.
For more than 15 years, Bluewater Health has offered eating disorder support services to adults and youth as a satellite site of London Health Science Centre’s Regional Program. Over the last several years Bluewater Health has seen an increase in demand for support services locally, with the pandemic heightening the need. Hospital admissions across the province among under-20s have also risen significantly in the last two years, including here at Bluewater Health.
“We’ve been working to expand our current program and services and were pleased to learn our proposal was accepted,” says Paula Reaume-Zimmer, Vice President of Integrated Services. “The new program will allow for increased services and improve access to much-needed support services locally.”
Bluewater Health is planning towards an eight-week out-patient program that offers intensive and day treatment services, including the direct link to hospital admissions when necessary. Supports will include increased access to social workers, psychiatry, registered dieticians, and meal support. Bluewater Health is also actively recruiting for a dedicated full-time nurse practitioner specialized in eating disorders to support this work.
The expanded program is anticipated to begin accepting patients late spring/early summer of this year.
ABOUT BLUEWATER HEALTH
Bluewater Health, with locations in Sarnia and Petrolia, cares for the approximately 131,000 residents of Sarnia-Lambton. With close to 2,500 staff, Professional Staff and volunteers, Bluewater Health provides an array of specialized acute, complex continuing care, allied health and ambulatory care services. For more information about Bluewater Health, visit bluewaterhealth.ca or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, Twitter, and YouTube.