Children referred to eating disorder services in Lincolnshire has doubled since COVID

The number of children who have been referred to eating disorder services across Lincolnshire has doubled since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Trust has told us.

It comes following calls from an All-Parliamentary Group earlier this week for a reform of support services.

'We have noticed a steady increase in referrals'

Charlotte Long is Service Manager for eating disorders at the Trust, she said: "The children and young people's services found that referral rates have doubled since the onset of the COVID pandemic.

"We have noticed a steady increase in referrals- including within adult services- which has meant we've had to look at our capacity planning and service model."

Despite this, the Trust says they still currently offer treatment within national waiting time standards.

"We're really aiming to offer timely access to treatment.

"All young people are offered care and treatment within four weeks of referral- or, if someone was deemed as 'urgent', within one week of referral.

"Within the adult services, we aim to offer an assessment appointment within four weeks of referral, but we can normally see somebody quicker than that."

All Parliamentary Group's report:

An All-Party Parliamentary Group launched a report earlier this week into the widespread neglect in eating disorder services across the UK.

They claim eating disorders represent one of the largest treatment gaps in our healthcare.

Hope Virgo, campaigner and Secretariat of the group, said: “Over the last few years, the situation for those affected by eating disorders has worsened.

"People are being denied treatment for being ‘too thin,’ ‘too sick,’ ‘not sick enough,’ or are being labelled ‘untreatable,’ despite clear evidence that people with eating disorders can and do recover.

"The fact that individuals are being discharged with BMIs under 15 is absolutely unacceptable and a complete injustice.

"We are sending people home to die.

"The question we must ask is: why, in the face of overwhelming need, are we still ignoring this crisis?”

Key recommendations from the report:

1. National Strategy: Develop a comprehensive national strategy for eating disorders for both adults and young people, with adequate funding to meet demand.
2. Service Reform: Ensure all individuals with eating disorders can access timely, evidence-based treatment.
3. Confidential Enquiry: Establish a confidential enquiry into eating disorder-related deaths.
4. Research Investment: Allocate significant funding for research into eating disorders to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment outcomes.

'There can be so many different triggers for eating disorders'

Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder are some- but not all- of the types of eating disorders.

"There can be so many different triggers for eating disorders, and these can be really complex.

"It's very rarely one trigger alone- it's usually a combination of different factors.

"It could be that there's changed in the individual's circumstances, or a period of increased stress that might result in somebody struggling with their eating."

If you need support for an eating disorder, you can find details on their website.

Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Trust accepts referrals from professionals and self-referrals too.

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