Closed petition Treating Eating Disorders: fast, responsive, and effective intervention

Closed on 17 February 2015

1.6 million people in the UK suffer from Eating disorders (according to Beat, the support charity), of which 1 in 5 will die prematurely.
The numbers of people falling under this illness is growing, yet the health services seem to be shrinking their support for the issue.
People seeking help for eating disorders commonly have to face a 6 month plus waiting list, with priority to those most emaciated, yet even the high risk patients face a wait. Although severity exclaims for immediacy, eating disorders are failing to be treated as what they are primarily: a mental health issue. They should not continually be treated on the basis of physical deterioration.
The government urgently needs to pour greater resources into eating disorder units, so that everybody, no matter what 'stage' they are at in their illness, receives equal, and immediate assistance.