Responding to the figures showing there has been a dramatic rise in hospital admissions for eating disorders in the last year, Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse said:

Eating disorders are life threatening illnesses, but the real tragedy is that this is preventable. By focusing on early intervention, the numbers of those suffering with eating disorders could be greatly reduced.

The Liberal Democrats demand better for those suffering with eating disorders. The Government must extend access to Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services up to the age of 25 as well as introducing waiting time targets for adults as well as children.

Equally, on average, medical students receive less than two hours of teaching on eating disorders throughout their undergraduate training. By improving training we will be able to greatly improve early intervention and give those suffering the help they so desperately need.