Welsh minister calls on health boards to improve eating disorder access ahead of awareness week
Mental Health Minister Sarah Murphy has called on health boards across Wales to improve access to eating disorder treatment, with Eating Disorders Awareness Week beginning on Sunday 23 February.
NHS Wales’s Seek Help Now campaign states that more than 1.25 million people in the UK are affected by eating disorders.
Around a third formally seek help, according to the campaign.
This year’s awareness week runs until 1 March and focuses on the role of family, friends and support networks in recovery.
Murphy said she has called on health boards to improve access to timely treatment and to focus on early intervention.
In a statement, she said: “I’ve called on health boards to improve access to timely treatment and focus on early intervention, as we know the positive impact earlier help and support can have for people living with an eating disorder.
“It is pleasing to see progress being made in expanding eating disorder services across Wales, but we are still striving for more people to be treated closer to home and further research into eating disorders.
“This year’s theme of community focuses on the importance of supporting someone with an eating disorder. It shows how crucial it is for people to have support from others around them and the benefits it can have during their treatment.”
Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) launched a Foundation Level e-learning course last year, titled An Introduction to Eating Disorders, aimed at health and care staff. The Welsh Government says uptake has been strong since launch.
The Seek Help Now campaign and the e-learning course are part of a £2 million investment in NHS Performance and Improvement, which the Welsh Government says is intended to improve quality, outcomes and provide same-day access for those seeking mental health support.
The Welsh Government acknowledged there is variation across Wales in eating disorder service provision.
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