Health professionals in Suffolk say eating disorders are becoming harder to spot
They say that more people are coming to them when their health is already at risk
Last updated 25th Feb 2026
Tanya Pombero, a psychotherapist at the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) eating-disorder service, said the biggest increase was seen around the pandemic, with some areas later recording further rises.
“We’ve all noticed a big rise around the Covid-19 pandemic,” she said. “Since then, the picture has been a little bit scatty. We know that there is variation across the country, region by region and according to age.”
She said that in some regions, referrals in the last two years had increased by around nine per cent, but added that the reasons behind that rise are complex.
“We suspect that because there is more awareness, because there might be an impact of new diagnostic categories, meaning that services have developed, there is more availability and more access to services as well,” she said. “There might also be an effect of the outreach work that some of the services are doing in the community and at schools.”
Local data shows long-term demand
Freedom of Information (FOI) data and local research suggest sustained pressure on eating-disorder services over many years.
Figures from Surrey and Sussex NHS Trust show that 1,560 patients have been admitted for inpatient eating-disorder treatment since 2015. Of those, 305 were under 18. The largest age group was 25 to 34-year-olds, with 307 patients treated over the last decade.
At Newmarket House, an inpatient unit serving parts of East Anglia, admissions have risen since 2023, with most residents admitted for anorexia.
In contrast, FOI data from the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust shows 47 patients admitted to its inpatient unit for eating-disorder treatment since 2016.
Healthwatch Suffolk, which collects feedback from patients and families, says experiences of eating-disorder services across the county are “very mixed”. Some families describe “brilliant” care and quick referrals, while others report serious failings, including clinical errors and poor communication.
Healthwatch also reports that there is no inpatient eating-disorder provision in West Suffolk, meaning some patients have to travel long distances for treatment, affecting family support and continuity of care.
Age distribution of inpatient admissions
Age distribution of inpatient admissions
These charts are based on selected FOI responses with complete numerical data.
How NHS treatment works
Pombero said people referred to NHS eating-disorder services usually receive multidisciplinary care.
“When people get referred to service, especially NHS services, they are more likely to have what we call a multidisciplinary treatment,” she said. “That means you’ll have a team of professionals around you to help assess what’s happening for you and meet your needs.”
That team can include psychotherapists, counsellors, psychologists, dietitians, doctors, nurses and occupational therapists.
“They’re going to be thinking about what you’re struggling with and how the difficulties you have fit in with your life,” she said. “How is this impacting your life? How would you like your life to be? What are the values you would like to live your life by, and how can we help you get back to that place?”
She said early intervention leads to better outcomes and that services aim to provide evidence-based treatment that supports long-term recovery in a “holistic way”.
“There are so many doubts and assumptions about what treatment is going to be like,” she said. “People think services only want to focus on the physical side instead of thinking about emotions and thoughts.”
In community services, patients may have one or several appointments a week with a counsellor or psychologist, and families are also offered support.
“It is that collaborative work, working with you instead of trying to work on you,” she said.
Pressure on services
Charities and patient groups say the demand for eating-disorder care continues to outstrip supply.
Deborah Watson, who runs the Suffolk-based eating-disorder charity Wednesday’s Child, has previously said that a lack of specialist services means some patients are sent as far as Scotland for inpatient care.
Healthwatch Suffolk also warns that charities are increasingly “filling gaps” where NHS services are unavailable or overstretched, raising concerns about what will happen if funding or services are cut.
“Everyone is worth it”
Pombero said it is important that people feel able to speak up about their care.
“Everyone is worth it,” she said. “That is the important bit. And everyone is entitled to have a voice about that treatment, and to say what it is that they need.”
If you are worried about eating disorders, support is available through GPs, NHS services and charities such as Beat Eating Disorders, which runs a helpline and online support services.
Recovery
If you or someone else is looking for support, it can be found at...
BEAT - National Eating Disorder Charity
-- England: [email protected]. Call on 0808 801 0677
- Scotland: [email protected] Call on 0808 801 0432
- Wales: [email protected] Call on 0808 801 0433
- Northern Ireland: [email protected] Call on 0808 801 0434
If you are in need of urgent help or medical advice for yourself or someone else please contact 999 or the Samaritans on 116 123 if you or someone else is in immediate danger. If you are looking for medical advice, contact your GP or 111.
You can listen to our investigation into the issue, where we talk to more experts here.