Eating Disorders Quality Improvement Tool for PHNs (ED QI) 

The ED QI is an innovative, purpose-built tool developed by the National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC) alongside PHN leaders and eating disorder experts. Based on the National Practice Standards for eating disorders and tailored to the PHN context, the ED QI guides PHNs through the process of building on their eating disorders response.

Foundational to the ED QI are 20 best practice actions across four functions specific to PHNs:

Operational Resources and Planning includes five actions that focus on the PHN's processes for identifying and addressing needs through data collation, documentation, and human resources.

Awareness Raising and Information Provision outlines six actions that focus on the PHN's strategies that support access to evidence-based eating disorders information for health professionals and consumers.

Primary Care Quality Improvement covers six actions that focus on the PHN's strategies for capacity building of the primary health workforce including access to resources and professional development.

Service Integration and Coordination addresses three actions that focus on the PHN's processes for connecting services, health professionals, and consumers within the system of care, and its use of standards to inform these activities. 

NEDC will be incorporating a supporting document to assist PHNs that may be considering increasing their service offering for people experiencing eating disorders.

The ED QI consists of three components:

Online Self-Assessment

In the online self-assessment, PHNs respond to the ED QI 20 best practice actions according to their current activity status. 

There is an opportunity to provide short clarifying notes against each action as needed.

NEDC recommends that this is completed by one representative from each PHN, consulting colleagues as needed.   

This takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.

More information on the 20 best practice actions is provided below.

Personalised Service Plan

This is available to download at the completion of the online self-assessment, and is generated based on the PHN’s responses to the online self-assessment. The plan includes:

- suggested next steps as a basis for action planning and quality improvement based on the PHN’s current level of activity

- an outline of the positive outcomes that can be achieved for people at risk of and experiencing eating disorders as the PHN builds on its response

- access to tailored resources and fact sheets to support the implementation of the best practice actions and next steps

The application of the personalised service plan is enhanced by using it in conjunction with the Action Planning Worksheet. 

Action Planning Worksheet

An Action Planning Worksheet is available to download from within the Personalised Service Plan.  

The worksheet is designed to assist the PHN to prioritise and plan the next steps they will implement for the following six months.

The personalised service plan and action planning worksheet provide PHNs with an internal record of their progress and supports regular action planning and implementation of the best practice actions. 

The above ED QI preview can also be viewed here.

Click here to view the entire message from the Hon David Coleman MP, former Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention at the launch of the ED QI, 10 November 2021. 

Accessing the ED QI 

To begin the ED QI Online Self-Assessment, click here.

At the completion of the Online Self-Assessment, your Personalised Service Plan will be available to download, along with your Action Planning Worksheet. Use these two resources together to support your PHN in the planning and implementation of your priorities and next steps.

The ED QI is designed to support staff working at a Primary Health Network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who has access to the self-assessment tool responses?

Only you and NEDC have access to the self-assessment tool responses. Your use of the ED QI and any data about your PHN/associated services that is collected will not be shared with any third party outside of the NEDC. De-identified and aggregated data from participating PHNs may be used to help identify trends in PHN service development needs and capacities. Individual PHNs will not be identifiable in any reporting associated with the use of this tool, including in reporting to the Department of Health.

Who will have access to the recommendations?

The recommendations (in the form of a personalised service plan) are available to you to download once you complete the online self-assessment. NEDC has access to the personalised service plan corresponding to each completed self-assessment, however, as with the self-assessment responses, this data will not be shared with any third party outside of the NEDC. The personalised plan (and corresponding action planning worksheet) are designed solely for the use of the PHN, and decisions on any next steps are confidential to your PHN and any parties that your PHN may be involving in implementation of next steps. These resources can also provide your PHN with a helpful internal record of your activities relating to eating disorders, to assist your PHN in its ongoing response to eating disorders.

What are the expectations for implementation of the recommendations?

NEDC understands that PHNs have a wide remit and many different priorities to address. Any implementation timelines are at your discretion. NEDC acknowledges that some PHNs will be at the very start of addressing eating disorders in their region, and other PHNs may have already implemented a number of eating disorder initiatives. Our vision is that all PHNs work towards the 20 best practice actions outlined in the ED QI, with NEDC available to provide tailored support and guidance to all PHNs along the way.

Next steps

NEDC recommends PHNs complete the ED QI every six months. Revisit the online self-assessment and download a new personalised service plan. Use your Action Planning Worksheet to continue to build on your PHN’s response to eating disorders.

A suite of NEDC resources is available to support your PHN's activities here.

Consultation and support are available to your PHN for implementing the ED QI best practice actions.

Contact NEDC Primary Health Lead: bella.burns@nedc.com.au