Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the importance of (a) early intervention and (b) prevention before the cure in eating disorder treatment.

The Government recognises that the earlier that treatment is provided, the better the chance of short-term recovery. We are committed to ensuring that everyone with an eating disorder can access specialist help.

As part of our mission to build an NHS fit for the future, there is a critical need to shift treatment of eating disorders from hospital to the community. NHS England is currently seeking to expand the capacity of children’s community eating disorder services, to allow for crisis care and intensive home treatment. Improved care in the community will give young people early access to evidence-based treatment involving families and carers, improving outcomes and preventing relapse. By preventing eating disorders from progressing to adulthood, we will build on our aim of raising the healthiest generation of children.

Early intervention is a priority for adults with eating disorders too, as set out in NHS’s Adult Community Mental Health Framework. NHS England have established 15 Provider Collaboratives focusing on adult eating disorders. These Collaboratives are working to redesign care pathways, and focus resources on community services. By providing treatment earlier and closer to home, we will see better outcomes for adults with eating disorders and their families.