New unit for eating woes at half-price

A SPECIALIST unit for people with eating disorders will only cost half of the original sum thought.

The facility, which will be created at St John's Hospital by December, will cater for patients with conditions such as anorexia and bulimia.

In a boost to cash-strapped NHS Lothian, it has emerged the project - which is a partnership with other east-coast health boards - will cost only 400,000 as opposed to the 900,000 first mooted.

The 12-bed resource will be the first of its kind in the Lothians.

The decision to build it came amid concern from health experts that a growing number of young females were vulnerable to eating disorders as a quick fix to lose weight.

As it stands, most people with eating disorders are treated at the Royal Edinburgh psychiatric hospital in Morningside, a location deemed inappropriate by many sufferers.