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Policy work

Policy work

Beat has developed policies and reports over a number of years to guide our work supporting those affected by eating disorders, and to campaign for change. We are also informed by external policies and research.

Find below our perspective on the way eating disorders are treated and our reports investigating the experiences of those seeking treatment.

Beat Reports

Prevalence in the UK

We estimate that around 1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder. We will revise this estimate as new data becomes available. Prevalence in the UK

‘There’s No Place Like Home’ - The case for intensive community and day treatments for eating disorders

This report highlights the urgent need to expand access to intensive community and day treatments for eating disorders. It features a review of the academic evidence, findings from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request into service provision, and insights from people with lived experience and clinical experts.

'Short-changed: A report into funding for children and young people’s eating disorder services in England'.

'Short-changed' report into funding for children and young people’s eating disorder services in England published. 'Short-changed' report into funding for children and young people’s eating disorder services in England published

'Delaying for years, denied for months: The health, emotional and financial impact on sufferers, families and the NHS of delaying treatment for eating disorders'.

'This report presents an assessment of the experiences of people suffering from an eating disorder, as well as their families, as they seek and receive NHS treatment'

An estimated 1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder. They are not ‘diets gone wrong’, narcissistic, fads or phases. Delaying for years, denied for months

'Breaking the Cycle' changed to 'Breaking the Cycle: An inquiry into eating disorder research funding in the UK'.

An inquiry into eating disorder research funding in the UK.

Breaking the cycle: An inquiry into eating disorder research funding in the UK

Lives at risk: The state of NHS adult services

In 2018/2019 Beat conducted research into access, waiting times and staffing levels at NHS adult community eating disorder services in England. Lives at risk: The state of NHS adult services

Early intervention on eating disorders. The crucial role of GPs

Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that can have devastating long-term consequences and may even be fatal if not treated early. Early intervention on eating disorders. The crucial role of GPs.

'Hit and Miss': Experiences of people with eating disorders seeking help from healthcare professionals

Hit and Miss report for England

Hit and Miss report for Scotland

Hit and Miss report for Wales

Hit and Miss report for Northern Ireland

The costs of eating disorders

Eating disorders can have a range of Social, health and economic impacts. The Costs Of Eating Disorders

Best Practice in Ensuring Early Intervention for Eating Disorders

Early intervention in eating disorders accelerates recovery, improves outcomes, reduces costs and, above all, saves lives. Read our report.

Best practice in managing service transitions for patients affected by eating disorders

There are a number of reasons why people with a diagnosis of an eating disorder may transition between services. This paper proposes a series of best practice standards for adoption by all healthcare providers offering eating disorder services. Best practice in managing services transitions

Family Empowerment

Beat has launched new guidance encouraging healthcare providers to ensure better support for families of people with eating disorders. Family Empowerment

Intensive Outpatient Treatment

Intensive programmes, such as Day Treatment Programmes (DTPs) and home-based treatment, are becoming more common in the treatment of eating disorders. Intensive Outpatient Treatment

Self-Referral

Self-referral for specialist assessment removes a significant barrier by allowing individuals to refer themselves or their loved one to the local eating disorder service. Self Referral

Changes needed to government anti-obesity strategies

Beat has published a report on the risks to people with eating disorders caused by government anti-obesity strategies. Changes Needed to Government Anti-obesity Strategies

Election manifestos

Elections are a crucial opportunity to influence eating disorder policy and support for years to come. Since 2019 we have produced manifestos to show how decision makers can support our work.

2019 General Election Manifestos

2021 Senedd Election

Experiences of People with Binge Eating Disorder

Beat BED Report

Online Advertising and Eating Disorders

Online Advertising and Eating Disorders

Online Safety and Eating Disorders

Online Safety and Eating Disorders

Key external policies

Medical emergencies in eating disorders (MEED)

Guidance on recognition and management

Treating vegan patients

Consensus statement developed to fully inform clinicians working within the field of eating disorders about treating vegan patients with eating disorders.

Treating Vegan Patients with Eating Disorders

Research

Find out more about the research into eating disorders carried out by Beat and other institutions and how to take part.

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