Fast Access to Help for Eating Disorders

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New community services for children and young people

There is a new community eating disorder service for children and young people in Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham. For the first time those that are worried or need help can refer themselves so they can get fast advice and support for their condition.

Eating disorders can cause serious long-term and even life threatening health problems and talking about the condition and seeking help can often be difficult for sufferers.

To address these needs, North West London Collaboration of Clinical Commissioning Groups has worked with West London Mental Health Trust and Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, both of whom provide Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) to introduce new community services for children and young people.

Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, are mental health conditions that rarely get better on their own, so the sooner someone can get help, the more likely they are to make a full recovery. The new North West London based service will allow young people fast access to professional help; in urgent cases, within one week and for routine cases within four weeks.

Dr Elizabeth Tullett, lead for West London Mental Health Trust CAMHS eating disorders service, said: “Eating disorders are an area which people find difficult to talk about. It is often especially difficult for young people to talk to parents or their doctor about an eating disorder, which is why it is so important that those that are suffering can access help easily. Being based in the community and encouraging people to contact us directly,, as well as referrals from parents or caring professionals, will provide better and faster access to medical support.”

West London Mental Health Trust will accept self-referrals from children and young people, parents, as well as from GPs, health professionals and other professionals, including teachers, working with children and young people. The service brings together teams of different disciplines skilled in the assessment and treatment of eating disorders; ensuring people receive fast access to the right care.

The new specialist services are available Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm for children and young people up to their eighteenth birthday who are registered with a GP in Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham.

Specialist teams offer assessment, diagnosis and intervention on a range of suspected and confirmed eating disorders including:

• Anorexia nervosa
• Bulimia nervosa
• Binge eating disorder
• Atypical anorectic and bulimic eating disorder

Access Eating Disorder Services
The service accepts self-referrals and referrals from parents, GPs, schools, colleges and other professionals.

• Ealing, Hounslow, Hammersmith & Fulham
  Telephone: 020 8354 8160 (CAMHS reception)

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust also accepts self-referrals and referrals from parents, GPs, schools, colleges and other professionals.

• Brent, Harrow, Hillingdon, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster
  Telephone: 020 3315 2711

June 16, 2016