Admissions rose by 16% in England from 2011 to
2012, according to data gathered by the Health and Social Care Information
Centre (HSCIC). Preliminary data from the HSCIC has reported a significant rise in
hospital admissions for eating disorders.
2,290 admissions have been recorded in the 12 months leading up to June
2012, with three quarters concerning the eating disorder Anorexia Nervosa. Children
and young people account for the majority of admissions, with 91% being female.
More specifically, one in every ten admissions was a 15 year old girl.
The length of admission ranges, with a quarter of patients being
discharged the same day and 5% spending at least 6 months as patients.
"Our figures do suggest that hospitals in England are admitting a
greater number of eating disorder cases than previous years", said Tim
Straughan, chief executive of the HSCIC.
However, eating disorder experts have warned that these figures
represent just "the tip of the iceberg". Indeed, it is estimated that
around 1.6 million people across the UK suffer from some form of eating
disorder. The figures released by the HSCIC only account for hospital
admissions and not cases seen by primary services. A spokeswoman for eating
disorder charity Beat has said that earlier treatment and more community-based
care is required to prevent sufferers from reaching the point of needing an
admission to hospital. "Early intervention is essential for those with
eating disorders," she said.
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