Caroline Nokes debates involving the Department of Health and Social Care during the 2017-2019 Parliament

Oral Answers to Questions

Caroline Nokes Excerpts
Tuesday 29th October 2019

(5 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Jo Churchill Portrait Jo Churchill
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That was part of the prevention Green Paper. We have the consultation responses, which we will assess and come forward with proposals.

Caroline Nokes Portrait Caroline Nokes (Romsey and Southampton North) (Ind)
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There is still too much reliance on body mass index as an indicator of good health in sufferers of eating disorders. Will the Secretary of State get behind the “Dump the Scales” campaign and meet the indomitable campaigner Hope Virgo, to ensure that GPs realise there is more to eating disorders than just weight?

Nadine Dorries Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Ms Nadine Dorries)
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I thank my right hon. Friend for her question. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines state clearly that GPs should not use BMI as the sole indicator for treatment. I have just met the eating disorder charity Beat to discuss how we approach eating disorders. With the £2.3 billion that we have invested in mental health services, we have made a commitment that any young person presenting with an acute eating disorder will be seen within one week, and others within four weeks.