NHS Forth Valley has a specialist Eating Disorder service which is based at Livilands Resource Centre, Stirling Community Hospital.
The Eating Disorder team offers Forth Valley-wide assessment and treatment to adults aged over 18 with a diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa or Binge Eating Disorder.
Younger patients would be seen by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in NHS Forth Valley.
The multi-disciplinary team consists of a Consultant Psychiatrist, Specialist Doctor, Nurse Therapists and Senior Mental Health Dietitians.
Outpatient Treatment
The main aim is to treat and support people at home. Treatment can be on an individual basis or as part of a group. Treatment is tailored to the individual needs of the patient and joint packages of care are often developed between the Therapists and Dietitians.
The therapies team can offer Cognitive Behavioural, Psychodynamic, Interpersonal, Schema and Dialectical Behaviour therapies as part of treatment. The team also has access to Mental Health Resource Centre assessment, Occupational Therapy assessment and the provision of Art Therapy. There is limited access to meal support and additional support around food shopping and cooking.
Inpatient Treatment
NHS Forth Valley has access to beds in the specialist Regional Eating Disorder Unit (REDU) at St John’s Hospital, Livingston. Referrals to the regional unit are only accepted from the Forth Valley Eating Disorder service.
Admissions to the regional inpatient unit will generally be planned in collaboration with the patient. Admissions would be considered for a limited time period only and with specific treatment goals in mind. The Eating Disorder team would communicate regularly with staff at the unit to ensure continuity of care and a smooth transition between in- and out- patient care.
In some circumstances it may be necessary for a person to be admitted as an inpatient more locally and in this instance a bed would be made available in Ward 3 of Forth Valley Royal Hospital. This is on a general psychiatric ward and again the Eating Disorder team would work closely with the inpatient staff to ensure continuity of care, particularly in regard to dietetic input.
Who can refer to the service and what are the referral criteria?
A person can be referred to the Eating Disorder team by a mental health or general medical professional, a General Practitioner (GP), or Dietician.
The team accept referrals for people with a moderate to severe Eating Disorder. Severity is generally indicated by rapid weight loss or severe emaciation, frequent vomiting or laxative abuse, significant physical complications, or a co-morbid condition such as pregnancy or diabetes. People with an Eating Disorder of a less severe nature are cared for by General Psychiatric services and/or the Mental Health Resource Centre provision in Forth Valley.
To contact the team, please address correspondence to:
Diane Johnston
Team Secretary
Telephone 01786 458549
fv.eatingdisorders@nhs.scot
Eating Disorders Service NHSFV
Livilands Resource Centre
Stirling Community Hospital
Stirling
FK8 2AU
