"Eating Disorder Service Inadequate"

This unit offers inadequate access to assessment and treatment by clinical psychologists. It is a funding issue but how can it be that in 2025, a unit such as this has one available clinical psychologist to meet the complex needs of patients with eating disorders?

I have watched helplessly as a family member has been failed so many times by the unit. This is not an attack on staff, but that the unit is not equipped with staffing to meet the complex needs of many ED patients.

Complex cases are covered by ‘nurse practitioners’ that do not appear to us, to have the deep understanding, qualifications or clinical knowledge to treat the nuanced and complex psychological schemas associated with certain EDs. With ED such as anorexia nervosa having the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, it is unbelievable that my loved one is not being given access to the psychological treatment they themselves prescribe that my relative needs, all due to lack of staffing and funding.

Relapse is imminent and they can only suggest discharging them as they haven’t the clinical psychologist available to offer treatment. It’s so wrong. This means GP having to re-refer them and going back on a waiting list. All the while this patient is crying out to be helped, has engaged entirely to have that help but now faces no help and likely relapse.

Their mental health is awful, I’m fearful of suicide and this unit is not, in my opinion, in a position to help. As a former NHS paramedical professional I do understand the limitations within departments in terms of budget and staffing. However, I hope nobody has to endure the pain of watching their loved one being let down by t his health board. As the ED unit for the health board, the lack of available psychological intervention by a qualified Clinical Psychologists, is a disgrace and does not meet the care needs of those suffering with an ED.