The Scottish government is promising action to improve services as more Scots continue to lose their lives from eating disorders than any other psychiatric condition.

Recommendations from the government’s full-scale review are expected in spring next year, with improvement work to take place throughout 2021.

The review forms part of a programme of work focused on improving mental health waiting times and early intervention in community settings and across the third sector, local government and the NHS.

New guidelines published last year recognised that specialist support was lacking in remote and rural areas in Scotland.

Work on the six-month review will start after the publication of the Mental Welfare Commission’s report on eating disorder services, due in summer 2020.

Dr Stephen Anderson, chair of the eating disorders faculty at the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland, says its important everyone has access to the right help quickly:

"Eating disorders are the deadliest and most lethal of mental health conditions and we know that earlier intervention saves lives. This is why we welcome this review of services, following on from the work by the Mental Welfare Commission.

“The College has discussed the possibility of a review with the Scottish government on a number of occasions. We’re keen to work together to ensure everyone, no matter where they live – can access safe, timely and effective treatment for an eating disorder.

“We’re keen to learn from colleagues in Wales following their national review of eating disorder services and welcome the opportunity to make recommendations on how these services can best be provided across the country.”

In 2017/18, 536 people were treated for an eating disorder.

Speaking at the start of eating disorder awareness week, mental health minister Clare Haughey says government is committed to improving services for them:

“More people lose their lives from eating disorders than any other psychiatric condition, therefore it requires a specialist and dedicated response. The national review will build on the work of the MWC who are currently visiting eating disorder services in Scotland.

“This review is a crucial first step in a programme of work to improve services for people living with an eating disorder. We want to see a second phase of improvement work in 2021, which will be guided by the review’s findings.”