Promised eating disorder clinic remains unbuilt after years despite growing demand

Five years after funding was announced, there's still no sign of a specialist clinic for eating disorders promised by the South Australian government, even though demand for the service has only grown.

Construction is yet to even begin on the project at the Repat Hospital site, leaving patients with limited treatment options and lengthy wait times.

After initial delays, Health Minister Chris Picton promised construction would begin in early 2023, but it remains in planning stages, despite increasing demand. 

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In 2019, the Statewide Eating Disorder Service had 476 patients, a number that surpassed 600 in the past year.

"At the moment, in South Australia, getting treatment is so, so hard," patient Claire Bennsted said.

Another patient, 22-year-old Shylah Manhire, has been battling an eating disorder for four years and relies on the Statewide Eating Disorder Service for life-saving treatment. 

"It hurts because it feels like they don't see eating disorders as an issue," she said of the delay.

9News understands the health department has yet to hand the site over to Breakthrough, the group in charge of the build, which has now been forced to update its construction costs.

After 9News began making inquiries, the health department website about the project disappeared. 

A spokesperson for the health minister is now promising an announcement on its future later this year.

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.