Referrals

Information for referrers

We offer inpatient treatment for both men and women with anorexia nervosa who are aged 18 and over from within the Midlands and East region. We are particularly experienced in helping people with severe anorexia nervosa, including those with a very low body mass index (BMI)*. We are also able to offer treatment for people with anorexia nervosa who have co-morbid mental health conditions such as depression and obsessive compulsive disorder or who are detained under the Mental Health Act. We can offer feeding by naso-gastric tube if clinically appropriate. We are always happy to discuss individual cases and consider whether or not we might be able to help.

*We will accept patients with particularly low BMI as long as they are medically stable.

All referrals for inpatient admission must be in sent by post or email to our administrative team. If an urgent admission is required referrers should contact a senior member of the clinical team for advice on bed availability.

Referral letters should record:

• Body mass index (BMI)or height and weight

• Stability of current weight/ an indication about rate of weight loss

• Information on eating symptoms and psychopathology

• Mental state

• Any identified psychiatric or physical risk factors, including past psychiatric history

• Background to the development of the disorder

• Relevant test results including blood tests, ECG and bone scans

We will acknowledge receipt of the referral letter within two days. An assessment appointment with an experienced clinician will be arranged as soon as possible and can last up to one and a half hours. Patients are usually seen individually in the first instance. We are happy to see relatives/carers with the patient at the end of the assessment if the patient concerned give their consent. Wherever possible we would arrange for people and their carers to visit the ward on the same day as their assessment appointment.

Patients would rarely be admitted on the same day as their assessment appointment but we aim to admit people as soon as possible on the understanding that patients are prioritised on clinical not on a “first come first served” basis.

An assessment report will be sent to the referrer within two weeks of the assessment date. If an offer of admission is accepted the patient, and referring service, will be given guidance on predicted waiting time for admission.