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New eating disorder service

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Harry R. Millar*
Affiliation:
Eating Disorder Service, Fulton Clinic, Royal Cornhill. Hospital, Aberdeen AB25 2ZH
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Abstract

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Aims and method

The paper describes the first three years experience of a new out-patient eating disorder service for adults. Clinical data on referrals using standardised assessments are presented.

Results

The referral rate rapidly rose to over 200 patients per annum. Forty-nine per cent of referrals were bulimic disorders and 26% had either anorexia nervosa or atypical anorexia nervosa. Seventy per cent were directly referred by general practitioners.

Clinical implications

The creation of a specialist eating disorder service quickly leads to a high referral rate suggesting a previously unmet need. A service based on assessment and treatment by nurse therapists is acceptable and feasible with appropriate training and support from psychiatry, clinical psychology and dietetics. Expectations of a specialist service include teaching, consultation, research and audit as well as the provision of direct clinical care.

Type
Original Papers
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 The Royal College of Psychiatrists

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