A North East project supporting autistic young people with eating disorders has been hailed as a national example of best practice.
The autism-focused pathway, developed in Middlesbrough by Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, gives young people with complex needs tailored support. Eating disorder charity Beat has called it “leading the way”.
TEWV’s community eating disorder service formally introduced the scheme in 2024 to cut treatment delays and tailor care from the outset.
Consultant psychiatrist Dr Huma Aazer at the House of Commons (Image: Supplied)
Consultant psychiatrist Dr Huma Aazer, was invited to the launch of the Beat report, Not designed for me, at the House of Commons.
Dr Aazer, a consultant psychiatrist at TEWV, said: "I was delighted to attend and talk about what we do.
"People are very interested in our work.
(Image: Supplied)
"As a service we have created a benchmark which others are keen to replicate."
The pathway was first discussed in 2021 after referrals rose sharply following the pandemic.
It was designed for the growing number of young people with eating disorders and undiagnosed autism, many of whom faced waits of several years for an official assessment.
Under the new model, staff are trained to assess autism and work closely with neurodevelopmental services.
Dr Aazer said: "It allows autism to be explored while young people are already engaged with clinicians they know and trust.
"Where autism is strongly indicated and would significantly influence care, the team can complete a multidisciplinary assessment within the eating disorder service itself.
"Importantly, autism-informed approaches are applied from the very first contact."
Read more
Durham police commissioner hails ‘sweeping progress’ after 26 officers join patrols
Teen driver 'egged on by pal' crashed off A167 in Newton Aycliffe police chase
North East disability campaigners launch film urging action on life expectancy gap
Beat’s latest report, Not designed for me, says autistic people are twice as likely to develop an eating disorder as non-autistic people, yet “treatment is not adapted to meet their needs”.
The report praises TEWV’s approach and says Teesside has had no tier 4 eating disorder admissions in the past five years.
Dr Aazer said: "People from across the NHS find our work inspiring and have asked for suggestions on how it can be replicated in other services nationally."