The past decade has seen a significant rise in the number of adolescents being admitted to hospitals with eating disorders. Many of these patients also face complex mental health challenges, meaning there is a need for a highly specialised and coordinated  treatment approach that extends beyond traditional inpatient care.

Thanks to the generosity of the RCH Auxiliaries, patients at the RCH will benefit from Joey Pods – an innovative purpose-built,  three-bed unit designed specifically for adolescents aged 13 to 18 years of age. These pods will provide a safe and supportive
environment where medical, psychiatric, and nutritional care can be delivered as one unified model and help improve patient outcomes for patients struggling with eating disorders.

“Traditionally young people who are admitted for treatment with eating disorders to the medical inpatient unit often need additional specialist mental health care,” explained Dr Chidambaram Prakash, Principal Hospital Psychiatrist and Clinical Lead for mental health services at the RCH.

“So, rather than treating mental and physical health separately, the Joey Pods bring both streams of care together simultaneously,” he continued.

Situated within the Banksia Ward, the Joey Pods will be the first hospital unit of its kind in Australia to provide both medical and  mental health services in the same location. This model of care will help reduce hospital stays and deliver better outcomes for patients and families alike.

These pods will also include a dedicated family therapy room, reinforcing the importance of family involvement in recovery.

“One of the strengths of this model is the opportunity for meaningful family engagement. This not only helps them better understand their child’s emotional needs but also supports their own wellbeing – something we know is essential for sustained, long-term recovery,” Prakash said.

Prakash and the RCH’s mental health services team are incredibly grateful to the RCH Auxiliaries for helping make this innovative  idea a reality. The Joey Pods will be pivotal in helping improve outcomes for our most vulnerable patients undergoing treatment
for eating disorders.

“The RCH Auxiliaries’ support has enabled the development of a space that goes beyond standard hospital infrastructure,” Prakash said. “The hundreds, even thousands, of young people who will benefit from this over the next decade will do so because of the  foresight and compassion of those who chose to support it. The impact of this model will be felt not only in hospital outcomes but in the lives of young people and their families long after they leave our care,” he added.