Severe Eating Disorders (North-East England)

Catherine McKinnell Excerpts

Monday 23rd June 2014 Commons Chamber

Unfortunately, eating disorders are on the increase. The number of hospital admissions is rising across the country, but in the north-east, at 6.5 per 100,000, they are 30% above the national average.

[Catherine McKinnell (Newcastle upon Tyne North) (Lab)]

I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this really important debate. The point she is making reflects the concerns of a few of my constituents who have contacted me. A couple wrote to me and said:

“No one associated with the unit can understand the decisions being taken at a time when the incidence of eating disorders is increasing. Our daughter relies on the excellent treatment and support provided by the dedicated team at the RVI’s unit. We have no doubt that her own health and those of others would suffer if this service was withdrawn.”

[Chi Onwurah]

My hon. Friend makes an excellent point. Again, the testimony of those most intimately involved speaks to the excellence of the unit and the concern of people in Tyneside.