Claims covid has brought eating disorder support services to their knees

Record numbers of people with eating disorders are in crisis costing the country £8 billion

Author: Paul Doward & Grace MarnerPublished 24th Sep 2021
Last updated 24th Sep 2021

A woman from Wigan is opening up about her battle with eating disorders amid claims the pandemic is pushing services to breaking point.

Katie McKenzie paid to go private for help with anorexia and bulimia - rather than waiting up to a year for support on the NHS.

Today's report's revealed the past 18 months has seen record numbers of people with eating disorders in crisis, costing the country £8 billion.

Katie says she'd have only got worse without quick intervention :

"You feel like you're left in limbo and it can definetly take hold and i've heard of quite a few stories of it taking hold in that period.

"The assessment appointment was around six weeks away and from then on the waiting lists can be up to nine months minimum really so it can go up to a few years until you can get support. It convinces you that you're not that unwell and you don't need support as there are more people more deserving than you of that support".

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