Welsh Government
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Experts sought to lead new eating disorder teams

Clinicians to lead new teams to care for people living with eating disorders are being sought, Health Minister Edwina Hart announced last week Friday, 9 October.

Mrs Hart has approved proposals by Health Boards to utilise Assembly Government funding to develop two teams, one for North Wales and one for South Wales, to improve diagnosis, care and support for those with eating disorders. The South Wales team will be spilt to focus on individual health organisations across the area but working together to share expertise.

The new teams will include specialists, working with existing GP surgeries, social services, and mental health services.

Funding of £0.5million is available this financial year to begin the development of the service and provide extra training. This will rise to £1million every year to develop sustained services.

Ahead of World Mental Health Day on Saturday, 10 October, Mrs Hart said:

“I asked the NHS in July to develop proposals for how it would use this funding to improve eating disorders’ services following the publication of the Assembly Government’s strategy for the conditions. I am pleased that I am able to approve the plans, which I believe, will attract experienced staff that will improve services greatly for the benefit of patients. Health Boards will now be recruiting staff to lead the new services.

“It is important that people with eating disorders, as with any other condition, have prompt diagnosis and treatment, to ensure the best outcome.

“We are working to improve mental health facilities with new units opening across Wales, including the new Child and Adolescent Unit in Abergele, for those people who require more specialist care.

“The new teams will focus on a small, but extremely vulnerable group of patients, who have not always had the level of care they need to recover and live more independent lives.”

The Assembly Government has also invested in the development of an electronic course for primary care workers on eating disorders.

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