Long wait times are preventing a record number of eating disorder patients from receiving the necessary life-saving care.
Internal data from NHS England shows that over 8,000 people are waiting to be seen for therapy, which is the largest number since data gathering started in 2019. Compared to March 2019, there were less than 2,000 adults waiting in March 2021.
According to NHS data, 18,000 people with eating disorders, such as bulimia or anorexia nervosa, were admitted to hospitals in 2021, up from 12,000 in 2019.
James Downs a speaker at our upcoming Eating Disorders Summit 2023: Improving Access, Treatment & Recovery Outcomes has lived with an eating disorder for 20 years. He has spent the majority of that time either on a waiting list or unable to receive treatment due to where he resides.
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“I believe eating disorders are treatable conditions at any stage or severity, but this message is completely missing from my care. I have had about 18 months of treatment in 18 years of illness.”