The prevalence of eating disorders in the UK has risen over the past six years, increasing from 6% of the population in 2019 to 7.5% in 20251. Yet despite this escalating need, new RCPsych analysis reveals that 16 Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in England are planning a total of £2.1 million in cuts, after adjusting for inflation, to children and young people’s services this financial year2.
A national audit of eating disorder service provision across England, published in December 2025, revealed 51% of children and young peoples’ community health teams with waiting lists reported demand exceeding capacity as a primary reason for waitlists, and 23% reported limited workforce.
NHS England has recently published new national guidance on commissioning of eating disorder services for children. RCPsych is encouraging better engagement between NHSE, ICB leaders, and clinical leaders in the implementation of this new national guidance on eating disorder services for young people, to make sure they are accessing services without delay.
Dr Ashish Kumar, Chair of the RCPsych's Faculty of Eating Disorders, said:
“Last year, we saw £1.68million in cuts after inflation in 12 areas across England, and this year there are another £2.1million planned. This is simply not acceptable. With one in five eating disorder consultant psychiatrist posts vacant in England, we need more investment not less.
“Eating disorders, such as anorexia, can have a devastating impact on health and have particularly high rates of mortality. However, they are treatable conditions and timely access to the right care and support can not only bring positive changes to patients’ and carers’ lives, but help save lives.
“These projected cuts in funding reflect the concerns we have been voicing over this past year that recent changes at a community level mean decisions about services are being made without the voice of mental health, which could have dire consequences for patients.
“ICBs are responsible for planning and commissioning health services in local areas and so it is of particular concern that the recent changes in ICB structures no longer requiring mental health expertise on the Board. In short, local commissioning decisions are being made without the voice of mental health.
“While we recognise the financial pressures being faced by both national and regional bodies, deprioritising the treatment of children and young people with eating disorders is not the answer.”
The Mental Health Investment Standard (MHIS) led to expanded eating disorders services for children and young people among other improvements. From next year the MHIS will only protect spending in line with inflation for the majority of mental health programmes including CYP eating disorders. RCPsych is therefore calling for continued and sustained growth in investment in mental health services.
Notes to Editors
- Source: National Audit of Eating Disorders: Service Mapping Report 2025
- Spending data at ICB level has been sourced from NHS England. Mental health dashboard Q1 2025/26. Real terms spending has been calculated using HM Treasury. GDP deflators at market prices, and money GDP December 2025 (Quarterly National Accounts). Spending is in 2025/26 prices.
Last year, 24 of the 42 Integrated Care Boards had planned real terms spending reductions amounting to £835,000 for CYP eating disorder services. When looking at the actual spending data for 2024/25 12 ICBs reduced their real terms investment in 2024/25 by £1.68 million, a 4.5% drop in funding (down from £37.023m to £35.343m in 2025/26 prices). The overall funding across all ICBs in England after adjusting for inflation rose by £6.8m from £102.584m in 2023/24 to £109.403m in 2024/25 in current prices. - The changes to the MHIS is outlined in NHS England. Medium-term planning framework: Revenue finance and contracting guidance.
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