I agree that it is important that the experience of people with eating disorders is considered against these plans to tackle the problems of obesity. That is why I welcome that the NHS is on track to deliver the new waiting time standards for eating disorder services by the end of 2020/21. Four fifths of children and young people with an eating disorder now receive treatment within one week in urgent cases and four weeks for non-urgent cases. As need continues to rise, extra investment will allow the NHS to maintain delivery of the 95 per cent standard beyond 2020/21. I will continue to monitor this issue closely.
I welcome the Government's announcement of a new Obesity Strategy, which seeks to tackle one of the greatest long-term health challenges this country faces head on. The proposals will empower people to make the healthier choices they want to make, as well as giving the full support of the NHS to people who are overweight and want to lose weight. This is in line with the broader aim to shift healthcare to focus more on public health and prevention, including ongoing work on the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme. Measures in the strategy include restriction on promotional deals and advertising, a new 'Better Health' campaign led by Public Health England, and displaying calories on menus to help people make healthier choices when eating out. I agree with the Government that the increased risk of Covid-19 to people living with obesity is a reminder of the health benefits of losing weight, getting active, and to eat better.
I am grateful to Beat Eating Disorders for their campaign during Eating Disorders Awareness Week, which aimed to increase awareness of eating disorders among healthcare professionals as part of medical training.
Being able to recognise the signs and symptoms of eating disorders is clearly crucial to make sure those affected can be diagnosed and start treatment at a time when it can make the most difference.
In a recent Parliamentary debate, my colleague Lord Kamall stated that the Department of Health and Social Care was working with Health Education England to improve training for GPs, and with the General Medical Council (GMC) to ensure that eating disorders are included in the outcome measures for newly qualified clinicians.
Lord Kamall also noted that the GMC’s Outcomes for Graduates states that “Newly qualified doctors must explain and illustrate” their understanding of “the principles for the identification, safe management and referral of patients with mental health conditions” including eating disorders.
Thank you also to constituents who invited me to attend the roundtable on eating disorders in Parliament on 12th July 2023. I was unable to attend on this occasion due to prior commitments, but I remain committed to ensuring everything possible is done to improve eating disorder services in the UK.
Thank you for taking the time to contact me.
