Severely ill eating disorder patients getting least support, says leading expert

Patients with the most severe eating disorders have received the least support during the COVID-19 pandemic, a leading expert has warned.

Dr Agnes Ayton, chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists eating disorder faculty, told HSJ that although it was an achievement that services had implemented digital consultations so quickly, for the most severe and high-risk patients this would not work as well.

She also warned that some specialist eating disorder units across the country have had to limit admissions and run below full capacity. 

Her warning comes after a leading charity for eating disorders, Beat, said it has seen a 35% increase in calls to its national helpline since the pandemic began.

Read full story

Source: HSJ, 1 May 2020