SUFFERERS are being urged to seek help as figures reveal Dorset has one of the highest levels of eating disorder admissions in the country.

According to statistics from the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSIC), the NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) had 49 ‘finished admission episodes’ for patients with a primary diagnosis of an eating disorder in 2012 to 2013.

The number of admissions in Dorset stayed the same in 2013 to 2014, but there are concerns that the statistics paint a worrying picture for the county.

Brave Dorchester resident Natasha Stewart, 21, who was diagnosed with anorexia in 2012 and lost more than half her body weight, is now urging others battling an eating disorder not to suffer in silence.

A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of inpatient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider.

Admissions do not represent the number of inpatients, as a person may have more than one admission within the period.

The Dorset CCG is formed of all 100 GP practices in the county.

The only other figures higher than Dorset CCG for admission episodes in 2014 were Barnet CCG at 103, Camden CCG at 123, Isle of Wight CCG at 55 and Northern Eastern and Western Devon CCG at 96.

A spokesman for Dorset HealthCare said: “We provide a comprehensive Eating Disorders service in Dorset providing outpatient, day patient and inpatient treatment.

“Specialist inpatient care can be essential for those with a severe eating disorder.

“In 2011 to 2012 our inpatient service had 34 admissions, 20 from Dorset and 14 from surrounding counties.

“In 2013 to 2014 we had 39 admissions, 23 from Dorset residents and eight from surrounding counties.

“Patients with an eating disorder can also have brief admissions to other hospitals for treatment of physical health issues, which may account for the higher numbers of admissions reported.”

Further statistics released from the HSIC reveal that nationally, the number of young girls admitted to hospital with an eating disorder has doubled in the last three years.

In 2013 to 14, hospitals in England admitted 1,656 girls aged up to 19 who were suffering from an eating disorder.

Yet in 2010 to 11, there were 840 admissions for the same age group.

Statistics for young boys admitted were considerably lower, with 123 boys aged up to 19 years old admitted to hospital with an eating disorder in 2010 to 2011.

In 2013 to 2014, there were 135 admissions for the same age group.

Dr Paul French of NHS Dorset CCG said: “We recognise that eating disorders can be distressing and often have an impact, not just on those immediately affected, but also on their family and friends.

“Anyone who has concerns either about themselves or another should speak to their GP or medical professional.”

For advice or more information call Dorset’s Eating Disorders service on 01202 492147.

Referrals can be made by a health or social care professional.

Support groups are also available, including the Carers Support Group which is held at Kimmeridge Court in Poole on a monthly basis.

A YOUNG woman who plummeted to five-and-a-half stone and would eat just one tin of soup a week is urging those with an eating disorder not to suffer in silence.

Natasha Stewart’s problems began when she made a new year’s resolution to lose weight in 2012.

The 21-year-old was diagnosed with anorexia in 2012 and lost half more than half her body weight.

Natasha told the Echo: “Hearing that Dorset has some of the highest admissions for eating disorders comes as no surprise to me.

“I know lots of people who are caught up in the cycle of admission after admission; I’m so glad to be out of it now.

“I had three inpatient admissions before I realised I needed to do something; that was my turning point.

“After this I also developed bulimia; it was my decision at the start of this year to nip it in the bud and seek help. If I didn’t I knew things could spiral out of control again.

“Eating disorders are very manipulative diseases and I lied to everyone because I was in denial.

“Parents or carers who help people through eating disorders also need support because it takes its toll on them too.”

The eating disorder caused Natasha, who weighed 12 stone in 2012, to suffer from hair loss, a crumbling spine, liver failure and weak veins.

At her lowest, Natasha would only eat one tin of soup a week and go to the gym for two or three hours every day.

The brave young woman, who lives with her mum Joanne and dad David in Charlton Down, has dreams to work in animal welfare and conservation.

Natasha added: “Eating disorders are on the increase and I would urge anyone to seek help as soon as they can, no matter how small they think their problem may be.

“I have been lucky enough to finally get the support I need and want to use it to encourage others to do the same.

“Happiness comes in all shapes and sizes.”

MILLIONS of pounds of funding to improve eating disorder services has been announced by NHS England.

Distribution of £30 million was announced earlier this month, with the aim to achieve 95 per cent of patients being seen within four weeks – or one week for urgent cases – by 2020.

The funding is the first stage of a new programme to improve children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing.

It will be used to improve community based eating disorder (ED) services so patients are helped earlier and fewer need in-patient care. 

Dr Jacqueline Cornish, NHS England national clinical director for children and young people, said: “We are on the brink of a new dawn for young people’s mental health and these are the first steps towards a new and more secure place.

“It is apparent, and something endorsed by young people themselves, that more of the same is simply not an option.

“Unless we make real changes across the whole system, opportunities to build resilience, promote good mental health, and intervene early when problems first arise, will continue to be missed and the opportunity to build a stronger youth for future generations lost.”

EATING DISORDERS are serious mental illnesses affecting 1.6 million people in the UK - they claim more lives than any other mental illness but are treatable and recovery is possible.

Eating disorders are characterised by an abnormal attitude towards food that causes someone to change their eating habits and behaviour.

They include a range of conditions that can affect someone physically, psychologically and socially. 

The most common eating disorders are: 

  • anorexia nervosa - when a person tries to keep their weight as low as possible; for example, by starving themselves or exercising excessively
  • bulimia - when a person goes through periods of binge eating and is then deliberately sick or uses laxatives to try to control their weight
  • binge eating disorder (BED) - when a person feels compelled to overeat large amounts of food in a short space of time