Eating disorder ward temporarily saved amid review
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Foundation TrustA region's only adult eating disorder inpatient ward has been temporarily saved following fears it would shut this summer.
In January it was announced that the Richardson Eating Disorder Service at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle, which serves Tyne, Wear, Northumberland and north Cumbria, would close by the end of July.
At the time Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Foundation Trust (CNTW) said the service's closure did not necessarily mean it would not provide inpatient care in the future.
It has now said the service has been temporarily moved to Gibside at St Nicholas Hospital, in Gosforth, and will remain in place while a wider review of its services was carried out.
The specialist service treats adults who usually stay between three and four months.
The nearest equivalent is in Darlington which treats those from the town as well as patients from Durham and Teesside.
CNTW previously said the service could not continue at the RVI because the hospital needed to expand its urgent and emergency care facilities.
Interim measure
A spokesperson for the trust said: "The move supports continuity of care and staff expertise while maintaining local inpatient provision.
"This is an interim measure while a wider review of adult eating disorder services takes place.
"Work is under way to develop and consider longer-term options for the service following a period of engagement with patients, carers, staff, partner organisations and other stakeholders."
British Medical Association mental health lead, Dr John Moore, previously told the BBC that the service's potential closure was "deeply concerning" and that inpatient wards were "vital" in treating those with the most serious eating disorders.
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