A new community-based service for children and young people with eating disorders is set to launch in the new year.
5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded the contract to provide the new service for the next three years and will be delivering it in partnership with national leading eating disorder charity Beat and St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, helping young people in Warrington, Halton, Knowsley and St Helens.
Commissioned by Halton Clinical Commissioning Group, Knowsley Clinical Commissioning Group, St Helens Clinical Commissioning Group and Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group, the service marks a significant step in 5 Boroughs Partnership’s growth plans and will be the first time the Trust has delivered a dedicated children and young people’s eating disorder service across these four boroughs.
The service will provide assessment, treatment and support for young people with eating disorders and their families. It aims to promote the early detection and treatment of eating disorders through a combination of one-to-one support and family therapy, along with support from a qualified dietitian.
The new service will operate alongside 5 Boroughs Partnership’s existing community eating disorder service for adults in Knowsley and St Helens, and its community eating disorder service for young people in Wigan and Bolton, which is set to launch in April 2017.
The Trust and its partners will now be working to establish the service and will be working closely with local schools, colleges and GP practices to build links and raise awareness of the service.
Simon Barber, Chief Executive at 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“We are delighted to have been given the opportunity to deliver this new service for young people with eating disorders across Halton, Knowsley, St Helens and Warrington.
“We look forward to building on our significant knowledge and experience of delivering similar services for young people with eating disorders in Wigan to develop a specialist service that will provide dedicated support for young people with eating disorders and their families.”
Dr Andy Davies, Clinical Chief Officer at NHS Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group added: “The development of the new eating disorder service for children and young people will ensure rapid access to a dedicated and specialist service that will support children, young people and their families.
“This is a really exciting collaborative venture and we welcome the experience the service providers bring through their existing services for young people with eating disorders – in particular 5 Boroughs Partnership’s service in Wigan.
“As commissioners, we recognise that there is ‘no health without mental health’ and this new service will ensure children and young people with eating disorders have the best chance of recovery across Halton, Knowsley, St Helens and Warrington.”
Anyone who is concerned that they or someone they know may have an eating disorder can contact Beat’s helpline for support, advice and information on 0345 634 1414 or visit www.b-eat.co.uk. People under the age of 18 can also contact Beat’s Youthline on 0345 634 7650.
