Eating disorders
As part of the community mental health transformation programme, and in line with national requirements, Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership has identified eating disorders as an area of focussed support requiring development
The partnership is committed to enhancing integrated support for individuals experiencing disordered eating through a comprehensive, evidence-based approach.
Information about children and young people’s eating disorder service, please visit the Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust website.
Overview of eating disorder initiative
In 2022/23, a scoping exercise was conducted to understand the number of new cases and existing cases of disordered eating across our district. This included mapping existing services and what the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) were offering, this provided us with a clear picture of the current landscape and identify gaps in care and support.
Community engagement and data collection
Central to our approach was the collection of testimonies and vignettes from a diverse group of community members, service-users and families and carers, including those with lived experiences. This qualitative data provided invaluable insights into the unique challenges faced by different communities and highlighted areas for improvement in service delivery.
Report and recommendations
The findings from the scoping exercise and community engagement were compiled into a comprehensive report, which outlined several key recommendations for enhancing local eating disorder support. These recommendations focus on improving early intervention, integrating services more effectively, and ensuring culturally competent support.
Service developments
To address the identified needs, we have started work in the following areas:
- Complex case consultations: We offer specialised consultations for complex cases within Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs) and across secondary services within Bradford District and Craven, providing expert guidance and support to ensure comprehensive care for individuals in the community.
- Eating Disorder Champions: we have been developing a network of specialist’s knowledge within CMHTs and across other services across the Trust within Bradford District and Craven.
- LinkED Workers: in collaboration with CONNECT, the regional Tier 3 specialist service, we have rolled out the LinkED offering. Tier 3 services refer to specialised care provided by multidisciplinary teams, such as CONNECT, for individuals with complex or severe eating disorders who require a higher level of expertise and support than general community services (secondary services) can provide. Secondary services, like those delivered through CMHTs, typically manage moderate cases and provide broader mental health support. This initiative bridges secondary and tertiary services, ensuring seamless coordination and communication between different levels of care. LinkED works as a liaison, facilitating smooth transitions and continuity of care between these services. This integrated approach ensures that patients receive the right care at the right time and supports individuals in navigating the complexities of the healthcare system.
- Increased presence in CMHTs: Our teams have established a robust presence within CMHTs, fostering better integration and coordination of services. This approach ensures that individuals with eating disorders receive timely and appropriate care, tailored to their specific needs.
- Training and upskilling staff: To ensure the highest standard of care, we are committed to training and upskilling our staff. We have developed a robust training programme in consultation with staff and carers, that includes specialised training in eating disorders, cultural competency, and the latest evidence-based practices. This initiative ensures that our staff are well-equipped to provide sensitive, informed, and effective care to individuals from diverse backgrounds, improving identification and intervention of disordered eating.
- Provider Collaborative: We have partnered with a number of voluntary care sector organisations within the provider collaborative to support people in the community. These partnerships enhance our capacity to provide comprehensive, community-based support, ensuring that individuals with disordered eating and their loved ones have access to a broad range of resources and services. This collaboration helps in addressing the diverse needs of our community and promotes holistic care.
Future ambition
Recognising the need for comprehensive care, we hope to develop a dedicated network of specialist knowledge and information across the organisation using all of these roles. We are also undertaking an evaluation around medical monitoring for individuals with eating disorders who do not meet the threshold for specialist services. This aims to explore the gap in care and offer recommendations to support for those who are not under the care of specialist eating disorder services, but benefit from medical oversight.
Our commitment to transforming eating disorder services across Bradford District and Craven area is ongoing. We continue to engage with community members, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders to refine and expand our initiatives. Our goal is to create a responsive, inclusive, and effective system of care that supports individuals affected by disordered eating on their path to recovery.