P-04-408 : Child and Adolescent Eating Disorder Service

Petition wording: 

We call on the National Assembly for Wales to urge the Welsh Government to fund the Child and Adolescent Eating Disorder Service in Wales to the same degree as the Adult Eating Disorder Service in Wales.

It has come to my attention that there is a disparity in funding between Adult Services and Child and Adolescent Services as regards funding for Eating Disorder Treatment.  At the present time Adult Eating Disorder Services receive £1 million per year from the Welsh Assembly, as well as 4 specialist trained provider groups.

Sadly research points to the fact that Eating Disorders, especially Anorexia Nervosa, are predominantly first experienced around puberty.  Historically puberty was around 12-15, however, puberty is becoming younger and therefore statistics are beginning to show the prevalence of Anorexia Nervosa starting at younger ages is apparent.  Bulimia Nervosa is generally a disease with an onset age of 18-25, however as with Anorexia this may differ from person to person.  The fact that in both disorders, and indeed all diagnosable Eating Disorders, early intervention is the key to a quick recovery, therefore preventing long term financial implications for the WAG, makes this plea more pertinent. 

I therefore implore the Assembly to consider this a priority for debate and to mend this disparity by giving equal finances and services to the Child and Adolescent Eating Disorder service in Wales as already given to Adult EDS.’

Status

This petition was considered completed by the Petitions Committee at its meeting on 04/02/2020.

The Committee considered the petition alongside P-04-505 Eating Disorder Unit in Wales and agreed to close both petitions given that a detailed independent review of eating disorder services has been carried out and the Welsh Government is scrutinising health boards’ responses to the review’s recommendations, as well as providing additional resources itself.  The Committee also agreed to congratulate the petitioner on their work to achieve improvements in eating disorder services in Wales

Full details of the consideration of this petitions by the committee and related documents can be seen on the Meetings tab above.

It was first considered by the Petitions Committee on 17/07/2012.

Petition raised by:  Helen Missen

Date petition first considered by Committee:  17 July 2012

Number of signatures:  246