A new clinic based Eating Disorder Service for young people up to 18 years of age across the north of the county will be officially launched by Nottinghamshire Healthcare on Thursday 12 November.
The service will be delivered by the Trust’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and will operate from clinics in Mansfield, Newark and Bassetlaw with plans to extend the service to the rest of the City and County in the New Year.
There are three main types of eating disorders, Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Eating Disorder not otherwise specified. An eating disorder is a serious illness that can have life threatening consequences.
Most people with an eating disorder should be managed on an outpatient basis with psychological treatment and an assessment of their physical risk; this new service will provide such a combination.
Paul Farrell, Directorate Manager for CAMHS said: “Research has shown us that the most effective way of helping a young person overcome an eating disorder is by using a multi-disciplinary approach. Therefore, our Eating Disorder Service teams will include a specialist mental health worker, art therapist, psychiatrist, dietician, as well as nursing and psychological support.”
The service will provide one to one sessions for individuals to explore their thoughts and feelings about the eating disorder, whilst a psychiatrist will monitor the physical and mental health of the young person and discuss any need for medication. The dietician will work alongside the young person and their family to help structure a suitable meal plan to promote better physical health, and Family Therapy will be offered to help explore both the impact of the eating disorder and how best to manage it, according to the National Institute of Clinical Excellence Guidelines.
Paul Farrell continued: “We are delighted to be able to offer this service across the County. The Eating Disorder Service teams will work closely with all other children’s services, as well as supporting transition into adult mental health services or more intensive treatment where required, in order to provide the best possible care for the young people using the service and their families.”
