Why are eating disorder patients being discharged with low BMIs?

Patients with eating disorders are being discharged with BMIs as low as 12.5, far below the usual NHS target of 18.5-19, potentially due to increased demand on services.

What are the risks of discharging eating disorder patients with low BMIs?

Discharging patients with BMIs of 15 or below signifies severe malnutrition and carries substantial risks, including rapid relapse, chronic illness, and premature death.

What is considered a safe BMI for discharge from eating disorder treatment?

NHS eating disorder services generally view a BMI of 18.5 or 19 as the usual minimum level to show a patient's weight is healthy enough for safe discharge.

Home / Health / NHS Trust Discharges Patients Below Safe BMI

NHS Trust Discharges Patients Below Safe BMI

27 Feb

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Summary

Patients discharged with BMIs as low as 12.5, far below the 18.5 target.
Nine trusts reported 119 such discharges in less than a year.
Experts warn of severe malnutrition, relapse, and mortality risks.

NHS Trust Discharges Patients Below Safe BMI

Mental health units in England are discharging patients with eating disorders who remain dangerously underweight, with some having BMIs as low as 12.5. This practice falls far below the typical NHS clinical guidance, which aims for a BMI of 18.5 to 19 before discharge.

Freedom of information requests revealed that nine NHS trusts discharged 119 patients with conditions like anorexia nervosa and Arfid between January and November of the past year, despite BMIs under 15. Experts have labeled this situation 'horrifying,' attributing it to increased demand straining NHS services.