Suffolk eating disorder specialist says there isn't enough support for people struggling
Figures show that the rate of admissions to hospital for eating disorders in the UK has doubled in the last decade
An eating disorder specialist in Suffolk says there aren't enough resources and support available for those struggling.
It comes as stats show admissions to hospital for eating disorders have doubled over the past decade, rising from just over 2000 in 2011-2012 to nearly 4500 in 2022-23.
Figures also show the NHS spends £4 billion a year on treatment, and the total economic cost, including lost productivity, is estimated at £6.8 to £8 billion annually.
"There needs to be a greater service provision"
We spoke to Debbie Watson, the founder of Wednesday's Child a not for profit organisation in Suffolk that helps people across the East.
She told us services can't cope under the demand, which is leaving people who need help left to fend for themselves: "There may be more people coming forward with an eating disorder or people being identified by family, loved ones, GPs.... so that number is being reported.
"But does that mean that person is getting access to care, support and help to get the pathway to recovery that they need?
"Therein lies the problem.
"Our service level and whether you look at that privately, whether you look at that through NHS, other therapeutic practices - is there enough support to deal with the level of people across this country that have an eating disorder?
"The answer is emphatically and very sadly no, there just isn't. There needs to be a greater service provision."
"Keep advocating for yourself"
Due to the demands on the system, Debbie explained there may be people on the waiting list who are getting worse before seeing someone: "Sadly one person will always be ahead of that person in the queue because diagnostically, they are deemed to be in more danger.
"As we all know, if we've come close to eating disorders in our lives, either personally or through people, we know someone with an eating disorder who doesn't get the help or become identified as 'poorly enough' to access the treatment pathway could then very easily form that narrative within their mind, that 'I'm not sick enough, so, therefore, I can't be that bad'.
"Then they often go along the path of continuing to live in the hell that is an eating disorder and just try and stay quiet and not mention it.
"The scenario is tragic."
We asked Debbie what should people do if they're struggling to get help:
"You have to keep advocating for yourself and those that you love.
"It is about shouting up louder and ensuring your voice is heard. It's repetition, repetition, repetition.
"If you don't feel you are getting access to the help that you need, you've just got to speak louder. You've got to keep returning.
"You've got to keep saying 'this is not getting better'."
"You can put the eating disorder in the past and move forward"
Debbie has had her own experience with eating disorders and tells us she wants people to know that recovery and a normal relationship with food it possible: "I'm a perfect example of someone who was able to overcome what was a deeply, deeply entrenched eating disorder and to go on and have a successful career and social life and happy home environment,
"You can put the eating disorder in the past and move forward.
"And there is no greater joy than experiencing food, eating, being among loved ones, family, friends and enjoying food without the voice of an eating disorder."
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