GPs in England are mostly failing to help those with eating disorders
February 24, 2009
GPs in England are mostly failing to help those with eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia, a new report cautions. The charity Beat found just about 15% of patients believed their GP really understood their disorders, or knew how to help them.
Some patients suspected their doctor did not treat their problems seriously enough. A leading GP stated doctors were reasonably skilled at treating different eating disorders, but patients took a long time on their part to admit their problems.
The report comes after latest data showed a roughly 80% rise in the number of young girls in England being hospitalised with anorexia over the last decade. Eating disorders affect over 1.1 million people in the UK, according to an estimate.
The report based on a survey involving 1,500 people suffering from eating disorders came across respondents who thought their GP lacked comprehensive knowledge about various treatments. It praised broad national guidelines on treatment, but added implementation levels varied across the country. The report concluded the odds were largely stacked against patients. The report also highlights examples of those treated poorly by their GP.
The eating disorders charity, Beat, chief executive Susan Ringwood appreciated Gordon Brown, who has already acknowledged that action is needed to improve diagnosis as well as treatment of eating disorders.
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