Risk, demand and capacity in adult specialist eating disorder services in the South of England – before and since Covid-19
Abstract
Aims and Method: This is a longitudinal cohort study describing the demand and capacity for specialist inpatient treatment of patients with severe eating disorders covering a population of 3.5 million.
We compared the impact of the pandemic and the outcomes between different inpatient services.
Results: Between July 2018 and 1 November 2020 there were 293 referrals. 97% were female. 93% had a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. 19.5% of referrals were below BMI 13, and a further 40% had extreme malnutrition.
Referrals and emergency admissions to acute hospitals have increased by 20% since the pandemic.
Waiting times have doubled from 33 to 67 days.
A novel integrated CBTE model has shown better outcomes and shorter length of stay compared to traditional eclectic treatment.
Clinical Implications:The pandemic has worsened the mismatch of demand and capacity, causing increasing serious risks and this needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.
Citations
Agnes Ayton, David Viljoen, Sharon Ryan, Ali Ibrahimt, Duncan Ford. Risk, demand and capacity in adult specialist eating disorder services in the South of England – before and since Covid-19. https://psyarxiv.com/
Page last reviewed: 12 June, 2025
Metadata
Author(s): Ayton, Agnes; Ford, Duncan; Ryan, Sharon; Viljoen, David
Collection: 123456789/753, 123456789/8
Subject(s): COVID-19, Eating Disorders, HOPE (Healthy Outcomes for People with Eating Disorders) Provider Collaborative (PC)
Format(s): Preprint
Date issued: 2020-12
ID: 678