Serious Failings in NHS Eating Disorder Care

“My committee found serious failings in NHS care for
people with eating disorders …

Sir Bernard Jenkin MP

Today sees headlines around the UK capturing the findings of two disturbing reports.

A report by the Commons public administration and constitutional affairs has revealed that a lack of significant training for doctors in understanding eating disorders, is leading to unnecessary deaths and poor management of patient care.

The committee chairman, Sir Bernard Jenkin MP, said: “My committee found serious failings in NHS care for people with eating disorders – doctors only receive a couple of hours of training, patients are left waiting for months for care, and the NHS doesn’t even have accurate data on the number of people suffering from an eating disorder throughout the UK.

“We cannot risk any more avoidable deaths from eating disorders. Eating disorders are complex mental and physical health illnesses and deserve dedicated training, specialist care and a commitment from the NHS to learn from its own mistakes.

“It has been nearly two years since the PHSO reporting on how NHS eating disorder services are failing patients. The government needs to adopt a sense of urgency to stop this problem from spiralling, and my committee is calling for swift action to address deficiencies in care.”

Meanwhile, eating disorder charity BEAT has today said that its findings show there is something of a postcode lottery concerning access to treatment.

Chief executive Andrew Radford said: "This research should set alarm bells ringing.

"Eating disorders have among the highest mortality rates of any mental illness, yet people's chances of recovery are being subjected to a lottery, and lives are at risk."

We at Wednesday’s Child are pleased to see these findings grabbing headlines, and we urge you to share the stories widely with those you know.

We MUST get more people understanding what an issue there is around adult eating disorder treatment in particular, and we MUST do all we can to heighten awareness around the need for early intervention, as well as improving recognition that eating disorders are so much more than a BMI indicator.

We’re proud that we’re doing what we can to create new support scenarios which at least aid those in the midst of an eating disorder journey.

If you’d like to know more about how we train teachers, businesses, families and medical professionals, please get in touch.