National Review of Eating Disorder Services Implementation Group: final report

1. Foreword

1.1 Dr Charlotte Oakley & Dennis Robertson

Co-Chairs of the National Review of Eating Disorder Services Implementation Group

Born out of a drive to improve Scottish Eating Disorder Services, those with lived experience and clinicians have come together to produce a clear vision for improvement in eating disorders in Scotland. This work has been supported by the Scottish Government and is set out in the 15 Recommendations within the National Review of Eating Disorders, published on the 23rd March 2021.

To create the amount of change that is required to realise our vision for Scotland a dedicated Network is essential to coordinate, support and drive forward the required change. This network will include a Lived Experience Panel and the National Network for Eating Disorders who will be recruited with the specific skills and experience to be able to support the change required to complete each recommendation.

The fundamental work completed in the last year by this Implementation Group is ready to be passed onto the National Network and Lived Experience Panel so that a plan of work can be commenced to complete the short-term recommendations and move to the mid to longer-term recommendations over the next 10 years to completion.

Significant funding will be required to support the improvement work and service development, particularly during this time when eating disorders have become even more prevalent and pervasive.

As Co-Chairs of this Implementation Group, we would like to thank all those involved for their work and dedication.

1.2 Kevin Stewart MSP

Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care

Improving the wellbeing of the population in Scotland is of utmost importance, and promoting healthy eating and lifestyle play a key role towards achieving this goal. However, some people face further challenges in their relationship with food while others may develop eating disorders.

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that can affect anyone in the population and in some cases can be fatal. Previously we commissioned work to support individuals suffering from eating disorders as outlined in our Mental Health Strategy 2017 – 2027. We continue to commit to improving the support provided by the Scottish Government and established a National Review of Eating Disorder Services Implementation Group to develop a plan to implement the recommendations from the National Review of Eating Disorder Services in Scotland.

I am pleased to say that this report presents the conclusions of the National Review of Eating Disorder Services Implementation Group which has been developed in collaboration with stakeholders with lived and/or living experience as well as eating disorder specialists. The Implementation Group prioritised and established three working groups focusing on:

• Quality Standards
• Training and skills and
• Data Improvement

The working groups have progressed significantly, but we aim to continue this important work in order to further support individuals impacted by eating disorders. To this end, we will be investing in developing a National Eating Disorders Network which will be supported by the Eating Disorder Lived Experience Panel aiming to support the delivery of the remaining recommendations.

I am very grateful to see this important work progressing so well, especially under the challenging circumstances brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, and look forward to continuing shaping the eating disorder services provision in Scotland as well as shaping the plans for preventing them.

1.3 With thanks to

We would like to extend our thanks to everyone who has been involved with taking forward the recommendations from the National Review of Eating Disorder Services in this first year of implementation. That includes all those who have taken the time to engage with the Implementation Group and its Working Groups. Your advice and expertise have been, and continues to be, greatly appreciated.