Young people across the West Midlands suffering from eating disorders including anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating are to receive rapid help.

A new service called First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for Eating Disorders (FREED) is being set up for 16 to 25-year-olds who have had an eating disorder for three years or less.

The NHS service, which will be rolled out in 18 sites across the country, builds on a successful model shown to help 16-25 year olds in London, with one patient describing it as ‘the gold standard’ of care.

Donna Hamilton of the Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said:

“Eating disorders can ruin young people’s lives so it’s vital that we provide support as quickly as possible to prevent a devastating impact on our children.

“We’re excited to be launching FREED and hope that with this new approach anyone in the Black Country who is experiencing symptoms of an eating disorder will now be able to access a rapid, evidence-based intervention before the condition spirals out of control.”

Amanda Risino, Academic Health Science Network Early Intervention in Eating Disorder National Programme Chair, said:

“We are delighted to see 18 new services across England receive funding to implement the FREED model of care for young people aged 16-25 years. Early intervention in eating disorders is shown to lead to substantial improvements in clinical outcomes at a critical time of transition and development, and is highly acceptable to both patients and families.”

For more details on the service in the West Midlands please contact lesley.devaney@healthinnovationwm.org.