NHS chiefs plan Lothian's first specialist eating disorders unit

Published on Monday 4 May 2009 09:57

A SPECIALIST ward for people with eating disorders is set to be created in the Lothians for the first time.

The 12-bed unit planned for St John's Hospital in Livingston would cater for patients with serious cases of conditions such as anorexia and bulimia.

As it stands, patients can access a variety of services, ranging from help in the community to be being referred to the city's psychiatric hospital, the Royal Edinburgh.

The new ward, which is yet to have a business case submitted, would be the focal point of an overhaul in eating disorder services across the Lothians, and it is thought those from other health boards in the south-east of Scotland could have access to the resource, including Borders, Fife and Tayside.

Board members were told: "A proposal to develop a 12-bedded in-patient unit at St John's Hospital for people with severe eating disorders will be presented (to a planning group in due course]."

The secretive nature of food obsessions and eating disorders mean statistics can be vague. However, BEAT, formerly the Eating Disorders Association, has estimated there are around 1.15 million people in the UK with eating disorders.

This includes more than 90,000 undergoing treatment for either anorexia or bulimia nervosa, making it a serious consideration for health boards.

NHS figures showed that the average age of the girls diagnosed with anorexia in the Lothians is 14, with an estimated 400 being treated by their GPs.

Despite this, parents of young sufferers in particular have in the past criticised the fact that youngsters are left with little choice but to go to the Royal Edinburgh beside patients with rather more serious mental illness.

As part of the scheme, a consultant psychiatrist has been brought in and a training network established so that when the unit is created, staff are ready to use it to the maximum affect.

Access to psychological therapies will also be made easier for those in the area.

BEAT spokeswoman Mary George said: "I'm delighted that a specialist facility like this is being opened up in Scotland.

"For many years, people all over the country have had to travel many miles outside their particular area to access specialist treatment that they need for these severe psychiatric conditions. The fact that a new unit is opening up in Livingston is very good news."

&#149 www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk