22 January 2025
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Eating Disorders has published a new report that examines the challenges facing people with eating disorders, including those who are struggling to access care.
The Right to Health: People with Eating Disorders are being failed report also highlights the issues affecting eating disorder services which it states are underfunded and under-resourced.
Responding to the report, Dr Lade Smith CBE, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said:
“The APPG’s report lays bare the significant mismatch between rising demand for eating disorder services and their availability. People are being left on waiting lists for far too long and action is needed to address this.
“People with eating disorders can often make a full recovery and those who receive timely and effective care are far less likely to develop a more complex illness. It’s also important that those who are less responsive to treatment continue to be provided with care that increases their chances of getting better regardless of the length of their illness.
“Services are struggling to manage demand partially due to chronic staff shortages, historic underfunding and a lack of resources. They must be provided with additional funding so that they can meet the needs of patients and carers both now and in the future.
“The College has called for a national strategy for eating disorders to help address these challenges and we’re pleased to see this included in the APPG’s report. We will carefully consider their other recommendations and conclusions.
“Our Medical Emergencies in Eating Disorders guidance provides healthcare professionals with advice on how to manage the physical, nutritional and psychiatric care of eating disorder patients. Clinicians must be provided with the training and resources they need to implement these guidelines.”
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