The complex treatment needs of individuals grappling with any form of eating disorder have been the driving force behind the development of a dedicated multidisciplinary healthcare facility over the past 18 years, which today attracts clients from across the globe.
“So much has changed since we opened the doors of Montrose Place, which is today Netcare Akeso Montrose Manor, on 1 October 2007,” recalls general manager Annemarie Louw, who has been there from the very start.
“Initially, we opened as a secondary care facility for people recovering from substance use disorders. However, it soon became apparent that there was a need for primary care to help people with eating disorders.
“This led to us opening a unit in February 2009 specifically for helping people to overcome eating disorders. In 2011 this became our sole focus, prior to the Akeso group acquiring the facility in 2015. We assist people requiring early intervention, as well as providing enduring support for clients with long-term eating disorders, and maintenance support for those who are struggling with a return of symptoms.”
Today, people travel from as far afield as the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Spain and the Middle East for the 12-week inpatient programme at Netcare Akeso Montrose Manor, which is individually tailored to the unique circumstances of each client.
“Our programme typically comprises three phases, with 24-hour nursing staff supervision, medical support from a psychiatrist, and an emphasis on awareness of their conditions and life dynamics that aims to expand the person’s skillset of healthy coping strategies,” Louw says.
“Fundamental to this process is building the person’s self-esteem, identity development, and personal development for a stronger sense of self, enabling the individual to cultivate a healthier connection with themselves, their identities and their bodies.”
Alongside medical supervision, nutritional and mental health support is provided by an experienced and dedicated multidisciplinary team comprising psychiatrists, psychologists, a registered counsellor, occupational therapists, a dietitian, and a catering team. Art therapy, drama therapy, trauma-informed, and movement-based expressive interventions are incorporated into the treatment programme.
“The involvement of family is central to our philosophy throughout the programme and in preparation for discharge, as ongoing support is associated with better long-term outcomes. We aim to optimally prepare each person for reintegration and the practical aspects of their recovery by encouraging them to develop their own comprehensive discharge plan. This incorporates all the skills learned during treatment and through our post-discharge care support,” she says.
The exclusive focus on eating disorders has led the practitioners and nursing staff to develop an in-depth understanding of the complexities of these conditions informed by leading international contemporaries.
“We are pleased to be sharing some of the insights we have gained with healthcare practitioners in a forthcoming second annual eating disorder conference, to be held on 17 May 2025 under the theme ‘Keeping the secrets silent’, which will open conversations about eating disorders and process addictions. This will be followed by a workshop in the final quarter of 2025.
“Awareness of eating disorders, among members of the public and the medical community alike, is needed to address the extreme pain too many individuals endure in silence, recognising this is about so much more than food alone,” Louw concludes.
It is never too late or too early to reach out for support for any form of eating disorder or mental health concern. Netcare Akeso’s 24-hour Crisis Line has experienced counsellors available on 0861 435 787 to listen without judgement and advise on the options available to assist you or a loved one.
To enquire about treatment, Netcare Akeso Montrose Manor can be reached at 021 797 9270 or via email on [email protected].
Ends.
About Netcare Akeso
Netcare Akeso operates a network of private inpatient mental health facilities and is part of the Netcare Group. Netcare Akeso provides individual, integrated and family-oriented treatment in specialised inpatient treatment facilities, as well as certain outpatient services, for a range of psychiatric, psychological and substance use conditions. Please visit www.akeso.co.za or contact [email protected] for further information.
In the event of a psychological crisis, call 0861 435 787, 24 hours a day for emergency support. Psychiatrist consultations can be made through Netcare appointmed™, online at www.netcareappointmed.co.za or by calling 0861 555 565.
For media enquiries, please contact MNA at the contact details listed below:
Issued by: MNA on behalf of Netcare Akeso Montrose Manor
For media enquiries contact: Martina Nicholson, Meggan Saville, Estene Lotriet-Vorster, Clementine Forsthofer or Natasha Burger
Telephone: 011 469 3016
Email: [email protected]