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Two-Year Waits for Eating Disorder Help Exposed
17 Dec
Summary
- Specialist eating disorder services are rejecting patients based on BMI.
- Adults face waits of up to two years for vital specialist treatment.
- Eating disorders are an escalating public health issue affecting 7.5% of people.
A shocking report has exposed critical failures within eating disorder services across the UK, revealing that some patients are being denied life-saving treatment. Specialist units are reportedly turning away individuals based on their Body Mass Index (BMI), with exclusions for being too thin or too heavy, contradicting current clinical guidance.
Compounding these access issues, adults are facing wait times of up to two years for specialist care in some areas, while children also experience waits exceeding a year. This situation is described as an escalating public health crisis, with an estimated 7.5% of the population now affected by eating disorders.
Campaigners and MPs are calling for urgent reform, emphasizing that clinical need should drive treatment access, not arbitrary criteria or service capacity. The audit highlights a critical need for increased investment and a cultural shift to ensure that individuals receive timely and appropriate care, regardless of their BMI or other health conditions.
