I understand how important it is to start preventative measures on children and young people who might be at risk of suffering from an eating disorder. Once diagnosed early, and the right treatment given, it is possible to manage treatment in a less invasive manner. However, sadly there are many children and young people who have passed that point of preventative treatment, and require more invasive and acute treatment. It is vital this service is available locally and in a quick time span.
Around 1.25 million people in the UK suffer from these illnesses, many in secret. They are of all ages, genders and backgrounds – eating disorders do not discriminate. Eating disorders include bulimia, binge eating disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED), and anorexia, which tragically has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, though all eating disorders can be deadly.
The Norfolk and Waveney system has specialist services available for people with eating disorders. These services are provided in the community by both NHS and Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) partners. For services to children and young people with eating disorders, the Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust cover the whole of Norfolk and Waveney.
There are two Young Peoples Eating Disorders units within the East of England region:
- The Phoenix Unit operated by Cambridge and Peterborough NHS FT (12 Beds).
- Elysium Rhodes Wood – Independent Sector (10 Beds).
The impact of COVID-19 on young people presenting with eating disorders is not yet fully understood. However, there are likely a number of ways in which the pandemic may have negatively affected young people and increased the number and needs of young people with an eating disorder:
- Daily routines
- Social support
- Virtual contact
- Social media
The Norfolk and Waveney system is working to draft a strategy for eating disorders provision in Norfolk and Waveney moving forwards. This will set out key focusses on spotting the signs of eating disorders, identifying needs and intervening early. This will require building workforce and community awareness and knowledge.
Norfolk & Waveney CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) has invested just over £2.1 million to children's and young peoples eating disorder service. In addition to this, further national allocations were made in 2021/22 totalling £703,000. This funding is being used to support the following developments:
- A Day Unit as an alternative to admission for very unwell patients to enable them to seek intensive support and treatment whilst remaining at home.
- Parent / Carer support - Norfolk & Waveney CCG is working with the Chair of the East of England Eating Disorder Network to develop an online parent / carer support group, which will provide peer support, training opportunities and a safe platform to share experiences and learning.
- Training specifically aimed at acute hospitals. Dedicated assistant and senior practitioners within acute settings to support children and young people who are admitted with an eating disorder.
Considerable improvements and investments in services have taken place in recent years, however given current demand it is important that this continues at pace in order to deliver best practice services and meet the increasing incidence of eating disorders. This must also respond to the rising demand and acuity of all forms of disordered eating that have presented during the COVID-19 pandemic.
