Management of transitions to adult services for young people with eating disorders: survey of current practice in England
Winston, Anthony P ; Child, Samantha ; Jackson, Joseph ; Paul, Moli
Winston, Anthony P
Child, Samantha
Jackson, Joseph
Paul, Moli
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Affiliation
Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust; Warwick Medical School
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Publication date
2023-02
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Abstract
Aims and method: The Royal College of Psychiatrists has published recommendations for managing transitions between child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) and adult services for eating disorders. A self-report questionnaire was designed to establish how many CAMHS teams meet these recommendations and was distributed to 70 teams providing eating disorders treatment in England.
Results: Of the 38 services that participated, 31 (81.6%) reported a flexible upper age limit for treatment. Only 6 services (15.8%) always transferred young people to a specialist adult eating disorders service and the majority transferred patients to either a specialist service or a community mental health team. Most services complied with recommended provision such as a written transition protocol (52.6%), individualised transition plans (78.9%), joint care with adult services (89.5%) and transition support for the family (73.7%).
Clinical implications: Services are largely compliant with the recommendations. It is a concern that only a small proportion of services are always able to refer to a specialist adult service and this is likely to be due to a relative lack of investment in adult services.
Citation
Winston AP, Child S, Jackson J, Paul M. Management of transitions to adult services for young people with eating disorders: survey of current practice in England. BJPsych Bull. 2023 Feb;47(1):17-22. doi: 10.1192/bjb.2021.109. PMID: 34994343; PMCID: PMC10028553.
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Article