Norfolk eating disorder charity calls for an end to 'postcode lottery' for provisions
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on eating disorders say there's "widespread neglect within eating disorder services across the UK"
An eating disorder charity based in Norfolk is calling on the Government to end the 'postcode lottery' for these help services and provide more funding to organisations offering specialist community support.
A group of MPs is calling for the development of a national strategy to tackle these conditions, which provides more timely treatment and sees significant funding put into research
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on eating disorders has released a report highlighting what it calls "the widespread neglect within eating disorder services across the UK".
"We're talking a four-fold increase, that hasn't really gone away at all"
Tom Quinn is from BEAT, which is based in Norwich:
"We saw a massive increase in people using our helplines over the pandemic. We're talking a four-fold increase, that hasn't really gone away at all.
"When it comes the NHS, we know in many areas of the country they have increased the level of support that they are providing, but it's still not keeping up with demand.
"We speak to hundreds of people every day, and so many of them talk about the difficulties they face in accessing treatment.
"Others have been turned away from treatment because they are not deemed to be worthy of it and then there are some who are on long-waiting lists. It's a really concerning picture."
What does the report say?
Eating disorders are among the most serious, potentially life-threatening and life-altering mental illnesses but have been overlooked and underfunded for far too long.
Consequently, eating disorders represent one of the largest treatment gaps in modern healthcare.
In the past decade, there has been an alarming rise in eating disorders, a trend exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. What was already a fragile support system for those affected has now collapsed under immense pressure.
Too many people are waiting for treatment, and too many are being failed. This crisis, however, predated the pandemic, and we must not use it as an excuse for continued inaction.
The public perception of eating disorders remains narrow, often reduced to a stereotype of a teenage, emaciated white female. While this group is affected, it represents only part of the reality.
Stories include children as young as four being diagnosed with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) but unable to access specialist support, families losing loved ones due to systemic neglect, and professionals struggling to provide life-saving treatment in an underfunded and overwhelmed environment.
Despite pockets of good practice across the UK such as FREED, ICBTE, Ellern Mede’s Autism ED Pathway, and Innovative Services such as the WaterLily Project, throughout our evidence gathering, dangerous discharges emerged as a recurring issue, highlighting systemic failures in accountability, inconsistent commissioning, inadequate training across services, and a glaring lack of support for both patients and carers, each contributing to the deepening crisis in eating disorder care.
Key Recommendations:
- National Strategy: Develop a comprehensive national strategy for eating disorders for both adults and young people, with adequate funding to meet demand.
- Service Reform: Ensure all individuals with eating disorders can access timely, evidence-based treatment.
- Confidential Enquiry: Establish a confidential enquiry into eating disorder-related deaths.
- Research Investment: Allocate significant funding for research into eating disorders to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment outcomes.
Without urgent action, individuals with eating disorders will continue to face inconsistent and inadequate care, with devastating consequences for their health and wellbeing.
"Gives a very sharp focus on what must change"
Wera Hobhouse, Chair of the APPG on Eating Disorders, said:
‘I have campaigned in Parliament to improve Eating Disorders for 6 years and in that time Eating Disorder services have become much worse rather than better. This detailed report puts together not only what is wrong but gives a very sharp focus on what must change.’
What's the Government said on this?
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said:
“It’s unacceptable that people suffering from eating disorders are not receiving the standard of care they deserve.
“Clinical guidance is clear that decisions on discharge should never be made based solely on weight or BMI, however we want to go further to support those with mental health issues, including eating disorders.
"Our 10 Year Health Plan will improve access to essential mental health services including giving an additional 380,000 patients access to the NHS Talking Therapies programme, recruiting an extra 8,500 adult and child mental health staff and providing access to mental health support in every school.”
If you or somebody else needs support:
Beat
Telephone: 0808 801 0677 (England)
Website- beateatingdisorders.org.uk
British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)
Website- babcp.com
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
Website- bacp.co.uk
Hub of Hope
Website- hubofhope.co.uk