THE first eating disorders service of its kind in the region is now taking referrals.

Until now, NHS patients with serious eating disorders in Teesside, County Durham, Darlington and Hambleton and Richmondshire have had to be admitted to the specialist in-patient unit at Darlingtons West Park Hospital.

But now a new non-residential Community Adult Eating Disorder Service is available.

Although it is based in Norton, near Stockton, the new day care service provided by Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, is available to people living in County Durham, Darlington, Teesside, Hambleton and Richmondshire.

The unique feature of the new service is that it offers adults with eating disorders the support they need from specialist NHS professionals but without them having to be admitted to hospital.

The new service is provided from Norton from 8am-6pm during weekdays. Support and treatment is provided through a two step approach.

The first step caters for patients who may require further support to prevent admission to hospital. The second offers patients who have been discharged from hospital the support they need to encourage recovery.

The new services team of doctors, nurses and therapists offer treatment for both the patient's physical and mental health concerns when attending the unit and following a 12-18 week programme.

Dr Dinesh Kannan, associate specialist in adult eating disorders said: "This new and unique service provides an alternative to inpatient or residential programmes.

"Like a residential programme, it offers a structured environment with an intense focus on learning skills for recovery, but offers the important advantage of allowing the patient to continue living at home."

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