Cash for eating disorder clinics

The new clinics are designed to provide support

Experts are being sought to lead new teams to care for people in Wales living with eating disorders.

Health Minister Edwina Hart has announced funding of £1m a year to develop teams of specialists.

GP surgeries, social services and mental health services will work together under the new plans.

Ms Hart has approved proposals by health boards to use assembly government money to develop one team in north Wales and one in south Wales.

Ms Hart said the funding would improve diagnosis, care and support for those with eating disorders.

Sustained services

Funding of £500,000 is being released this financial year to develop the service and provide extra training. This will rise to £1m every year to sustain services.

"I am pleased that I am able to approve the plans which... will improve services greatly for the benefit of patients Health Minister Edwina Hart

Ms Hart said: "I asked the NHS in July to develop proposals for how it would use this funding to improve eating disorders services following the publication of the assembly government's strategy for the conditions.

"I am pleased that I am able to approve the plans which, I believe, will attract experienced staff that will improve services greatly for the benefit of patients. Health boards will now be recruiting staff to lead the new services.

"It is important that people with eating disorders, as with any other condition, have prompt diagnosis and treatment to ensure the best outcome."

Specialist care

Ms Hart added the assembly government is working to improve mental health facilities with new units opening across Wales, including the new Child and Adolescent Unit in Abergele, for people who require more specialist care.

"The new teams will focus on a small, but extremely vulnerable group of patients, who have not always had the level of care they need to recover and live more independent lives," she said.

The south Wales team will be spilt to focus on individual health organisations across the area but work together to share expertise.

The assembly government has also invested in the development of an electronic course for primary care workers on eating disorders.