Eating disorder services: choosing an appropriate provider

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Eating disorders are serious conditions that can affect physical health as well as mental health. This guide is educational and does not diagnose or advise on treatment. If you are worried about someone''s physical safety, contact your GP urgently, NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.

Why this area is different

Eating disorder care usually involves more than talking therapy. Physical health monitoring — which may include weight, blood tests, ECGs and other checks — is a routine part of care, and treatment is often delivered by a multidisciplinary team that can include psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, dietitians and nurses. A service that offers therapy alone may not be sufficient depending on the clinical picture, and a qualified clinician should decide what level of care is needed.

What UK guidance describes

NICE guidance on eating disorders covers recognition and treatment for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, in adults, children and young people. It describes specific psychological treatments, the role of family-based approaches for children and young people, and the importance of physical health monitoring and coordinated care between services.

Questions to ask a private provider

1. Which eating disorders and which age groups do you work with?
2. Who is in the team, and what are their registrations?
3. What physical health monitoring do you provide, and who carries it out?
4. Do you work with a dietitian, and is that included?
5. How do you coordinate with my GP and, if needed, with NHS services?
6. What are the criteria for stepping up to a higher level of care, and how would that be arranged?
7. What involvement do families and carers have, particularly for children and young people?

Levels of care

Care may be outpatient, intensive outpatient or day-patient, or inpatient. Private residential and inpatient care is expensive and usually quoted per week; ask what is included and how length of stay is reviewed. Moving between levels of care should be planned, not improvised.

Regulation

Services carrying out regulated activities must be registered with the CQC in England, with equivalent regulators elsewhere in the UK. Inspection reports are public. Individual clinicians should be registered with their own regulator or accredited register.

Free routes and support

NHS eating disorder services exist for adults and for children and young people, accessed via a GP referral in most areas. Charities such as Beat provide information and helpline support.

What NeuroLynk does

We show which providers declare eating disorder services, the disciplines in their team and their verified registrations. We do not assess suitability, and we never advise on whether someone needs a particular level of care.