Huge rise in eating disorder admissions

Apr 26 2008 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

HEALTH experts have warned the region is struggling to cope with a huge rise in the number of people admitted to hospital with eating disorders.

The North East is the only region outside London to see continued and rapid growth in the number of people – both teenagers and young adults – admitted to hospital for conditions such as anorexia or bulimia.

The 165 hospitalised sufferers last year include nine males and 59 teenage girls.

The Government figures represent a 162% increase since 2002 but do not include the many hundreds more sufferers who are believed to be seeing their GP for help with the condition.

The Eating Disorders Association estimates that about 165,000 people in the UK have eating disorders and that for 10% of those diagnosed, the condition proves fatal. But the real figure could be much higher.

Last a night North East expert said he could easily “see a new case every day and not even come close to seeing everyone”.

Terry Henderson, from the National Centre for Eating Disorders, said through his work in the NHS he has seen the effects of “too many cases and too little space”.

Mr Henderson said: “It can obviously be very difficult to get a place in these centres, we’re looking at people facing waiting lists of anywhere up to two years to get this level of specialised treatment. That presents a huge risk to their health.

“What we need are specialised treatment centres available in all the major towns and cities, because I would not be in the least surprised if the 165 official cases listed last year rises to at least 300 in 2008, with many having to use beds in general wards, which is what has happened previously.

“Just getting admitted, which can make all the difference, can be very difficult.”

Mr Henderson said part of the rise could be attributed to the celebrity cult of super thinness displayed in TV programmes and magazines which “make eating disorders look trendy”.

Greater level of awareness

DR Sylvia Dahabra, a specialist consultant at Newcastle RVI’s eating disorder centre, said the main reason for the rise in the number of cases was a greater level of awareness by GPs about the risks and treatment options available for sufferers.

"There is a lot more actively around this subject now, more treatment options and more recognition. At the RVI we have just four or five beds available but at any time we will have maybe 15 patients who need this level of care.

"They often have to use beds in psychiatric wards and we do not think that is the best option for them. But a lot of patients can be treated as outpatients, it is the preferred method for many. So we see many many more patients who do not need to stay in a bed at the ward."

Anorexia is believed to have one of the highest rates of mortality for any psychiatric condition, estimated to run at around 13% to 20% per year.

The Department of Health announced in February plans to spend £170m by 2011 on improved mental health facilities. The cash will be used to train an extra 3,600 psychological therapists.

A DoH spokeswoman said: "Improving access to psychological therapies is a Government priority and evidence shows therapy is as effective as drugs in the short-term and longer lasting in the long-term."