Sharing this article with some current bed numbers (from 2020 to present, as far as we (Vancouver Island Voices for Eating Disorders - VIVED) is aware - namely the difference between inpatient and residential levels of treatment as well as bed numbers. (The article reports 23 inpatient, 6 day treatment, and 24 residential - no age specification). Also of note, the B.C. beds are accessible to those in the Yukon who have 0 options.
The main difference between these two forms of treatment, is that residential is less intense and medical in focus (more cognitive and psychosocial work).
Inpatient tends to be more focused on stabilization and initial refeeding. If an individual is significantly compromised (although there is significant weight bias in B.C.'s provincial emergency guidelines which does not necessarily reflect medical risk), they will be treated on a medical unit.
Residential treatment also tends to be longer (3-4 months vs. weeks to months.) Some re-nourishment occurs in residential treatment, but individuals must be medically stable and not at risk for significant re-feeding syndrome.
Reported Bed Numbers (2019):
Current Bed Numbers (2020-Present):
7 inpatient (hospital beds) for adults (17 and older) in BC & the Yukon located in Vancouver. During the first wave, these closed for a brief period of time.
8 residential beds for adults (18? and older) in BC & the Yukon located in Vancouver. Pre-pandemic, there were 10 beds. Briefly during the first wave, these beds closed, and have since re-opened)
14 residential beds for youth aged 16-24 in BC & the Yukon at Looking Glass (it costs $45/day plus medication for those 19+) located in Vancouver. During the pandemic, these were reduced to 6-7 for a period of time,
14 inpatient beds for youth (under 18) in BC & the Yukon at BC Children’s located in Vancouver.
This makes 7 total inpatient beds for adults.
14 total inpatient beds for youth.
8 total residential beds for adults and youth age 18?+
14 total residential beds for youth (16-24, but not entirely publicly-funded for anyone 19-24.)
There is no day treatment available in BC as far as we Vancouver Island Voices for Eating Disorders - VIVED is aware (BCCH closed theirs several years ago.) Please correct us if we’re wrong.
Waitlists are complicated to calculate. For example, on Vancouver Island you need a GP referral to access the local outpatient clinic in Victoria which has no programming for adults as well as a waiting period, then another referral gets sent to treatment in Vancouver. Assessments are required and then one is put on the waitlist which could be a few months or up to a year during 2020/2021.
In 2019 there were several more inpatient beds for youth and adults with eating disorders - for example, Vancouver Island had 2 inpatient beds (non-medical, located on a general psychiatric unit, intended for short stays prioritizing symptom interruption and refeeding.) These disappeared in 2020 and have not re-opened. There are plans from Island Health to re-open them in 2023 with the launch of young adult unit. It is still officially unclear if these beds will be accessible to adults who do not fit in the "youth category," although that is likely the plan.
Feel free to comment any corrections - one of the major issues with services in B.C. and Canada, is that it is difficult to locate information on services, current updates, and estimated wait times, etc. An in-depth report on services across providers (e.g. health authorities (Ministry of Health) and outpatient clinics such as the South Island Eating Disorder Program, which is provided through the Ministry of Child & Family Development vs. the Ministry of Health) that is regularly updated would be incredibly useful.
It should be noted that these beds are very difficult to access for multi-marginalized individuals and navigating is challenging even for those with extended health literacy.