Address
The Acley Centre
Newton Aycliffe
County Durham
Telephone
Service opening hours
Monday – Thursday 8am – 6pm; Friday – 8am – 5pm
About the eating disorders service
We work with young people up to 18 years of age who have difficulties with eating and weight.
This service provides specialised multi-disciplinary assessment, treatment and evaluation of care for young people and their families.
Treatment
As well as supporting a young person who is experiencing difficulties, we also support their families. The treatment and support provided can vary depending upon individual needs and will include some of the following sessions:
Family-based therapy (FBT)
This is recommended as first-line treatment for young people with eating disorders. We use the Maudsley model of FBT which recognises that families are the best resource we have in supporting young people with eating disorders. We will work together with you as a family to help challenge the eating disorder and work towards recovery.
Physical monitoring
Your blood pressure, pulse and temperature will be checked, along with any other necessary physical assessment. Blood samples will be taken to allow for blood tests to be carried out and your weight and height will be measured. The frequency of the sessions will be agreed depending on your physical status.
Psychiatric and/or paediatric
An appointment to meet with a psychiatrist within our service or a local paediatrician may be required if specific difficulties need to be discussed / addressed
Dietetic
Helping you to achieve a well-balanced nutritional intake is an important part of treatment. The dietitian will meet with you to talk to you about meal planning, nutritional and physical health education, and help with all food related issues.
One to one
We give you the opportunity to talk alone. Any psychological therapy or individual work will be tailored to your needs and stage of recovery. We will take time to help you think through how the sessions can be best used and how often the sessions will take place.
Guided self help
This is a short term (six sessions) structured intervention, which is workbook based. You will be supported by a clinician to work through the activities, helping you to think about your goals and why you want to achieve them, as well as trying to change the way you think about your difficulties.
Collaborative skills group
A skills-based group for parents and carers of young people with eating difficulties.
Meal support
We support you and your family to manage your meals, snacks and drinks.
Group work
The service runs different groups at different times. If there is a group available during your time with us, we can help you think about group work as a possible part of your treatment.
We may need to think about other treatment options depending on your individual needs and progress. This will be discussed with you and your family as needed.
At appointments, anything you or your family tell us is confidential. There are times when we are required to share information, for example if we are made aware of anyone being at risk of harm. If we are required to pass this information on we will discuss this with you.
Reviewing progress
There will be progress review meetings with you and your family to discuss if your package of care needs to be changed. These meetings are called ‘Care Programme Approach (CPA) meetings’.
Feedback
With thanks to our service users for providing us with the following feedback:
“I knew I wouldn’t be judged”
“Believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself”
“I would definitely recommend the service to someone else”
“I knew I could trust you”
“Understanding staff”
“Very pleased with the service”
“I feel the team really understand”
“Thank you for actually saving my life on several occasions”
“Without your continued support I definitely wouldn’t be in the great place I am now”
“The reflecting team is so valuable”
“I’m really grateful for the suggestions and ideas”
“It’s been a relief to let my feelings out to someone so kind and understanding”
L967, V4, 202/07/2019 (Archive: 02/07/2022)
