A CENTRE that has been helping people with eating disorders for more than ten years has started offering support to those who care for the people that use its service.
Steps – Specialist Eating Disorder Service – has been helping people with issues with food such as bulimia, anorexia from its base in the grounds of Southmead Hospital since 1999.
But now it has started offering its support to the carers and relatives and friends of the people referred to the NHS service.
In what is believed to be the only service of its kind, those who support someone with an eating disorder can attend the group sessions to share their experiences with others who understand what they are going through while also receiving advice and education about the issues linked to eating disorders.
Prior to the group being set up, carers, relatives, friends or partners would only have access to such support alongside the person with an eating disorder or on a one-to-one basis.
Day therapy co-ordinator at Steps, Adam Deuchars, said: "It seems to be two-fold really. First of all there is the educational element, passing on advice and making suggestions but there is also the sense of carers meeting other carers in a similar situation and giving support.
"Often in this service or other services the carer is in the room alongside the person with an eating disorder and they might be trying to be strong and supportive for the individual they are looking after, while at the same time there is a huge emotional burden on them. This gives their own space to think and talk about what they are going through.
"Generally we won't meet with carers on an individual basis.
"But caring can be very tiring and emotionally exhausting.
"We are trying to think more holistically about a more rounded review of care and support for everybody involved not just the individual sufferer."
Steps offers people with eating disorders a range of different therapies and inpatient and outpatient services to help them to deal with their issues around food.
The Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership-run service is made up of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, psychotherapists, occupational therapists and dietitians to support people in dealing with their food issues in the way that seems most appropriate for the individual. People are referred to Steps by their GPs. There are six inpatient beds for people who need more intensive support with their eating disorder.
Practical support is also given to people who need help preparing and cooking meals. Mr Deuchars said there has been a steady increase in the number of people being referred to Steps in the last couple of years.
"There has been a real increase in demand for the service and we have had more people turning up who are more poorly and physically compromised by their eating disorder.
"We don't have a particular means of trying to understand that but know that it is the case for other services across the South West and the rest of the country. That could be because more people are aware of the service we offer and that is helpful because it means more people access help more quickly."
He said that as there was no "quick fix" for eating disorders people could be using the service for months or years before they are discharged.
"The carers sessions set up by Bobby Orchard, our specialist occupational therapist are a nice addition to the service," he said. "Having something ongoing has proved invaluable and as far as we are aware it is unique."
The sessions for carers are being held every two months. To book a place or find out more, contact Steps on 0117 323 6113.
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