A MENTAL health hospital for children in Teesside has increased the numbers of beds for youngsters suffering from eating disorders after seeing a rise in demand.

Eating disorders among teens and children has doubled in just three years nationwide, and as part of a major overhaul of its children’s hospital the Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust has expanded the unit which deals with anorexia and related conditions at its hospital in Middlesbrough.

It officially reopened theWest Lane Hospital this week after a multi-million pound refurbishment which has seen en-suite bedrooms installed throughout, sports facilities, family visiting areas and even an American diner.

The Evergreen Centre at West Lane, part of the Northern Centre for Eating Disorders, provides beds for children and youngsters with serious eating disorders from across the north of the UK and beyond.

Due to the increase in demand the Evergreen Centre has been expanded to include four extra bedrooms as well as a larger indoor and outdoor living space.

It has also added outpatient services for eating disorders, and a community eating disorders service, as well as classroom space for inpatients to carry on their education.

David Brown, director of operations, said: “There has been an increase in demand, particularly for eating disorder beds.

“That there is an increased prevalence of mental health problems for younger people is well documented in research.”

The hospital as a whole has been undergoing significant redevelopment since 2013 and work has included extensive refurbishment and redesign of existing premises, as well as the development of new buildings to provide much improved, state of the art facilities and services.

One of the site’s new buildings incorporates The Westwood Centre, a low secure, 12-bed development which provides 24 hour support, seven days a week, to young people who might have been in trouble with the law, or present a significant risk to themselves or others.

One youngster said: “When I first came to the Westwood Centre I felt really frightened because it was a locked unit, but being here has really helped me.”

Other improvements include a centre for treating 12-18 year-olds with complex needs, with modern facilities including 14 bedrooms and visiting areas.