Webinar resource

This 1 hour 35-minute webinar by Primary Health Tasmania on eating disorder management using a multidisciplinary team.

This session discussed the role Tasmanian GPs and other health professionals play in managing eating disorders using a multidisciplinary team. Acknowledging that GPs are often overly responsible for managing eating disorders within the confines of their practice, this webinar will introduce new services, programs and models to support medical monitoring and optimal care coordination.

Learning objectives:

• Explain the role and responsibility of a GP within a treatment team for eating disorder patients.
• Manage and respond to eating disorders through harm minimisation.
• Identify the specialist eating disorder services offered by the Tasmanian Eating Disorder Service (TEDS) and their multidisciplinary team structure.
• Define how Brisbane’s Community of Practice (CoP) model can be implemented to meet the needs of Tasmanian GPs.
• Utilise community-based services and programs to support eating disorder patient care.

Speaker Informarion:

Dr. Samantha Wyton is a Specialist General Pracititioner and GP Therapist, practising in Hobart.  Sam graduated from the University of Tasmania in 2013 obtained RACGP fellowship in 2020, and enjoys teaching both medical students and GP registrars.  She focuses on weight-inclusive care in her practice with a special interest in palliative care and perinatal mental health.  Sam has lived experience with an eating disorder and practises with a holistic and person-centred approach.  Sam has co-founded the Tasmanian Weight Inclusive Network which is working towards providing education in weight-inclusive care. 

René du Plessis, is the Clinical Lead for the Tasmanian Eating Disorder Service in the North and North West. She is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian and a Credentialled Eating Disorder Practitioner. René has worked in a variety of professional roles in community, private practice and hospital inpatient, outpatient and community settings in Tasmania and in Queensland. She will present an overview of the Tasmanian Eating Disorder Service and its role in providing treatment to clients referred by GPs requiring eating disorder care. 

Bella Burns is the Primary Health Lead at the National Eating Disorder Collaboration, where she collaborates with 31Australia’s Primary Health Networks to enhance their response to eating disorders. With over 20 years of experience in the not-for-profit sector, Bella brings a collaborative, people-centred, and outcomes-focused approach to her work. Her expertise spans complex projects and services in education, health, mental health, and community sectors, driving systemic change with a focus on Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and Eating Disorders. 

Prior to NEDC, Bella held the role of Mental Health and AOD Manager at Northern Territory PHN, while living and working in the region. She now leads NEDC’s Right Care, Right Place project, a three-year initiative aimed at improving access to effective, evidence-based treatment for eating disorders in local communities. This project seeks to embed Eating Disorder Coordinators within primary care to overcome practical barriers and strengthen care pathways for those in need. 

Rebecca Fahey is the Manager of Butterfly’s Recovery Support Services, a team of peer support practitioners offering programs and services for people struggling with EDs and their carers in Tasmania. Rebecca is a seasoned team leader and group work facilitator with 10+ years experience in building the capacity and wellbeing of individuals and communities. Rebecca designs, coordinates and implements innovative programs and services for vulnerable communities and support service providers, and has extensive experience in team management. She is intentionally qualified with a Certificate IV Training & Assessment; NMAS Mediation & Assessment; and a Master of Social Work. With a background in corporate governance, creative communications and recreational services management, Rebecca brings a dynamic, holistic and highly insightful approach to all her projects.