A day treatment service to help young people in Norfolk manage the physical and psychological impact of an eating disorder is expanding.
Run by Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT), it has already helped more than 50 13-to-18-year-olds either virtually or at the Lighthouse Centre in Hellesdon Hospital, Norwich.
It has proved such a success since its launch in summer 2022 that it has now become the first in the region to pilot a new virtual weekend service.
This will mean tailored support during mealtimes, which can be particularly challenging for both the young people and their families.
The weekend service comes as part of a wider pilot project and is part of a national drive to reduce admissions to inpatient units.
How does the service work?
Staff at the centre provide a combination of therapeutic family, individual and group work, as well as supporting the child with educational learning and practical help, such as meal coaching.
They can care for between six and eight young people from anywhere in the east of England at one time.
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Tania Pombeiro, senior systemic family psychotherapist with the service, said: “We are proud that we have been able to provide such effective treatment to so many young people since we opened our doors.
“We support young people who may otherwise need treatment in an inpatient unit and help them to overcome some of the obstacles they may be facing so that they can continue their treatment in the community while staying connected with family and friends.
“Young people will come to us for up to 12 weeks and will be offered a wide range of tailored interventions, while their families and carers will be given support and education to help them care for their child at home.
“The virtual weekend pilot expands this offer to seven days a week for the very first time and has been very well-received by both young people and their families.”
Kieron Loane, specialist operational manager for Norfolk, Waveney and Suffolk Eating Disorder Services, said: “We are delighted to have led the way in developing this innovative and effective alternative to admission for young people with an eating disorder.
“We are currently the only hub to pilot the virtual weekend service and look forward to seeing the positive impact this added intervention will have on young people and their families as the pilot progresses.”
Anthony Deery, chief nurse with NSFT, said: “This vital service is playing a crucial role in helping us to provide safer, kinder, better care to young people on a day treatment basis. This is really positive for our service users, as it means they can benefit from specialist interventions without being admitted to an inpatient unit.
“We are proud to be the first trust in the region to pilot the new virtual weekend service, which will offer tailored mealtime support for families so that they can continue to successfully support the young person in the comfort of their own home.”
