CAMHS Eating Disorder Service

We are a multi-professional team of Eating Disorder Specialists- Nurses/ Social Worker, Family Therapists, Dietitian and sessional input from a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, who have specialist training and experience in the treatment of Eating Disorders.

The team is based in The Sperrins, Cedarwood Building Longstone Site, Armagh, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm service, for 10-18 year olds living in the Southern Trust Area.

The Team specialises in the comprehensive assessment and treatment of young people who present on referral with:

• Anorexia Nervosa
• Bulimia nervosa
• Eating Disorders not otherwise specified/Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders

Who can refer?

• General Practitioners/Family Doctor
• Paediatricians (hospital and community)
• Medical Physicians
• A&E Consultants
• Generic Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service ProfessionalsReferrals should be made by completing the Child and Adolescent Eating Disorder referral Performa

  (This can be accessed by emailing cedarwood@southerntrust.hscni.net) and then forwarded to Referral Co-ordinators at camhs.teams@southerntrust.hscni.net.

  Self-referrals are not accepted.

Service provision: what the team offers

When a young person is referred to the Child and Adolescent Eating Disorder Service we offer a family and individual a comprehensive eating disorder assessment which includes a full Dietetic assessment. If, after completion of these assessments, we believe that the Eating Disorder Service is appropriate to meet the young person’s needs, we will offer a follow up appointments and treatment plan.  We will liaise with the young person’s GP/Referral agent throughout treatment.

The team work hard to establish positive relationships with young people and their families as this really supports the therapeutic process.

The team believe that recovering from an eating disorder involves enabling a young person to be able to eat enough to grow and develop normally by finding a way of addressing his or her emotional needs through a medium other than food and eating. Successful intervention involves working towards some understanding not just recognition of the problem.

Following assessment, we offer a range of interventions which include:

• Reviews
• Motivational work
• Individual Therapy- addressing case specific needs.
• Family Therapy & Multi Family Therapy: – The team are mindful that recovery takes time and will involve all of the family in supporting the young person therefore a family based approach informs our treatment plans/service. Supporting parents is a significant part of the work within the service.
• Individual Nutritional Assessment, Education and Reviews, Management of refeeding process – Young people will work with the team dietitian who in turn works collaboratively with team Eating Disorder Specialists, Family Therapists and Psychiatrist.

Dietician roles:

• Assess food and nutrition complications/refeeding
• Manage physical symptoms of the eating disorder in collaboration with the team
• Provide nutrition treatment plan/meal plans
• Provide individual nutrition education
• Physical and medical monitoring
• Case specific – Step up/ step down supported eating service both in hospital and home setting.

The team also provide:

• Consultation Service to Trust Professionals
• Training

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Contacts