Eating Disorders: Inpatient care on adult wards

Guideline number: QH-GDL-516

Effective date:  14 July 2026

Review date: 14 July 2029

Supersedes: New guideline

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions characterised by severe disturbances in eating behaviours, thoughts and emotions often leading to significant physical health consequences and psychological distress. These disorders are clinically recognised and require comprehensive treatment including medical, nutritional, and psychological interventions.

Health services are required under legislation, service directives and national standards, and expected under duty of care, to provide safe, effective and quality treatment and care. This guideline brings together an evaluation of the current literature and evidence concerning medical risk factors in individuals with eating disorders that supports clinical decision making in emergency departments, medical wards, and mental health units for those who present to hospitals. It aims to support standardised care in the various Hospital and Health Services across Queensland and to ensure equitable care and access to all Queensland residents.

This guideline is intended to offer recommendations for medical assessment and monitoring, nutritional assessment, and treatment as well as the critical nursing interventions when providing care for individuals with eating disorders or at risk of eating disorder. It also includes the psychological approaches for the multidisciplinary team (MDT) that can support the treatment in the acute care settings including the integral role of providing compassionate care whilst monitoring vital signs during the acute refeeding period.

This guideline provides guidance on the appropriate application of relevant legal frameworks, including the Mental Health Act 2016 (MHA2016) and the Guardianship and Administration Act (GAA) to inpatient eating disorders care. In addition, the guideline reinforces that human rights are a mandatory and overarching consideration that must guide all clinical decisions and interactions, ensuring care remains respectful, person centred and recovery oriented.

Download the complete guideline

Eating Disorders: Inpatient care on adult wards (PDF 1188 kB)