TREATMENT FOR SUFFERERS OF EATING DISORDERS

Early day motion 1078, tabled 28 April 2004 by Lord Cotter (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 58 members.

That this House congratulates ANTS (Adequate Nationwide Treatment for Sufferers of Eating Disorders) members on their successful cycle ride to 10 Downing Street to present their petition; recognises the need to raise awareness of the variable, and often inadequate and ineffective levels of treatment for eating disorder sufferers nationwide; welcomes the National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines for the treatment of eating disorders in England and Wales, but expresses concern that, according to the Eating Disorders Association, an estimated 1.15 million people are affected by eating disorders in the United Kingdom today, including a high proportion of young people; further notes that, without adequate funding, the publication of the treatment guidelines will raise expectations and lead to a dramatic escalation of waiting lists in an already overburdened sector of the NHS; regrets the lack of specialist service provision for eating disorders, so that many patients have to travel long distances to receive desperately needed treatment; further notes with concern that treatment is commonly offered within general psychiatric units which can cause unnecessary distress and negatively affect recovery; and therefore calls upon the Government to work with the Eating Disorders Association and other specialist organisations and to put in place funding arrangements in order to reduce the growing number of people suffering and dying from eating disorders each year.

Signatures by party: Labour 24, Liberal Democrat 20, Labour/Co-operative 4, Conservative 3, DUP 3, Plaid Cymru 2, UUP 2.