Following a successful trial in three Primary Care Network (PCN) areas, the option to self-refer to our Adult Eating Disorder Service has been extended across Lincolnshire. This means that anyone aged 16 and over who is registered with a GP practice in Lincolnshire can complete a form on our website to request support if they are experiencing difficulties with eating.
Our website also includes guidance on how to recognise a possible eating disorder. Signs include changes in behaviour around eating, such as purposely limiting food intake, binge eating, making themselves sick or misusing laxatives, over-exercising and increased checking of their weight.
If a person’s difficulties with eating are starting to impact negatively on other areas of their life – such as relationships, education, work and socialising – it is likely that they would find this service helpful.
The extension of the self-referral option coincides with the expansion of the support offered by our Adult Eating Disorder Service to include those with mild to moderate eating disorders across Lincolnshire. The change, which is part of our Adult and Older Adult Community Mental Health Transformation Programme, means that the team will work with people who have Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder, mostly offering support in the form of guided self-help and group treatment using a cognitive behavioural model. One-to-one appointments will be offered where groups are not suitable.
Support for children and young people with eating concerns and/or disorders continues to be provided by our Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Eating Disorder team. More information about the support they provide can be found here on our website.
