Eating Disorders

(asked on 24th October 2018) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the treatment options for people suffering with eating disorders and subsequent mental health conditions but who are denied treatment due to weighing more than the required benchmark for diagnosis.


Answered by
Matt Hancock Portrait
Matt Hancock
This question was answered on 29th October 2018

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) clinical guidance on managing and treating eating disorders, and the Eating Disorder Commissioning Guide, are both clear that people should not be rejected for treatment solely on the grounds of weight or Body Mass Index (BMI).

The NICE clinical guideline for the recognition and treatment of an eating disorder (2017) states “Do not use single measures such as BMI or duration of illness to determine whether to offer treatment for an eating disorder (ref 1.2.8)”. We expect commissioners and providers to adhere to this guidance.

The Eating Disorder Commissioning Guide recognises that “There are reported problems associated with health professionals delaying the provision of appropriate treatment due to their treatment decisions being based primarily on the young person’s weight and BMI. These decisions can lead to a delay in access to appropriate treatment” and re-states that commissioners should adhere to NICE guidelines.

Source:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng69/chapter/Recommendations#identification-and-assessment

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/cyp-eating-disorders-access-waiting-time-standard-comm-guid.pdf

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