Thank you for contacting me about treatment and waiting times for eating disorders.
I regret that there has been a significant increase in demand for treatment for eating disorders over the last few years.
In response, the Government is committed to achieving the standard that 95 per cent of children with eating disorders receive treatment within a week for urgent cases and four weeks for routine cases.
Work is ongoing with NHS England to develop new access and waiting time standards for mental health treatment, including children and young people with eating disorders.
During 2021/22, the Government provided an extra £79 million to help meet this standard. This funding was designed to expand children’s mental health services, including allowing 2,000 more children and young people to access eating disorder services and increasing the number of mental health support teams in schools and colleges.
It is also encouraging that the Government is planning to invest £696 million in services for adults with severe mental illnesses, including care for people with eating disorders.
NHS England and Improvement has been developing proposals for new waiting times standards, including for adult eating disorder services. Its public consultation has now completed, and the Government will consider whether to take forward these proposals in due course.
Eating disorders are acutely distressing conditions both for the patient and their loved ones. With the right approach and appropriate investment, I am confident that the NHS will be able to offer help, care, and support to all those who suffer from eating disorders.
Due to the volume of campaign emails and the cost to the taxpayer, from the 3rd January 2023 all responses to campaign emails will be posted on my website, rather than sending out individual responses.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.