Question reference: S5W-24291
- Asked by: Kezia Dugdale, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 9 July 2019
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Current status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 5 August 2019
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing a treatment time guarantee for eating disorder diagnosis and treatment.
Answer
Treatment for Eating Disorders are not currently recorded within the Treatment Time Guarantee (TTG). This is because patients accessing these services are likely to undertake psychological therapy and significant counselling as part of their treatment. This would be carried out on an outpatient basis and it is unlikely the treatment would be completed within 12 weeks.
The Scottish Government is clear in our engagement with NHS Boards that patients should be assessed according to their clinical need. Our expectation is that those who need immediate treatment, whether for an eating disorder or for any condition or disorder requiring access to mental health services, will receive that care quickly. The answer to PQ S5W-24288 on 5 August 2019 lays out the Scottish Government’s commitment to introduce Scotland-specific clinical guidelines for Eating Disorders. We will expect the Guidelines to be carefully followed.