WINNIPEG – The province is investing $1.1 million to expand eating disorder programs at Health Sciences Centre.

It’s also creating a safe nutrition clinic for people living with eating disorders.

“Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge-eating are the number one cause of death among all mental illnesses,” said health minister Cameron Friesen. “This investment will decrease wait times for treatment and keep individuals close to their support networks in Manitoba, while receiving care.”

The VIRGO report identified the need for additional eating disorder services. The investments will include:

• increasing inpatients beds to five beds from three at Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg,
• creating a safe nutrition clinic that provides meal supports for inpatients or those receiving care in the community,
• expanding outpatient program capacity, and
• improving programming for co-existing eating disorder and substance use disorder patients.