Government announces funding for Anorexia research

The government has announced that it will designate two million pounds to help fund research investigating improved treatments for sufferers of anorexia nervosa. The Department of Health (DoH) notes that research reveals that early identification and treatment of anorexia nervosa can improve long-term patient outcome.

Eating disorder charity Beat, in conjunction with the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and the Institute of Psychiatry, will use the funding to develop and test a number of potential psychological treatments suited to different phases of the disease.

The DoH states that this research will aid clinicians to properly match treatment and patient assessment to the differing profiles of individual patients with the condition.

Rosie Winterton, health minister, said: “Anorexia is a debilitating illness that, if not caught early, can be difficult to treat.

“The fact that 15 per cent of cases result in death highlights the serious nature of the condition.”

She added that the government funding would assist professionals to treat the emotional issues relating to the disease in order to improve the effectiveness of available therapy.

Last week, the DoH announced the investment of over ten million pounds into London-based research centres to encourage improvement in the safety, efficacy and quality of NHS services.