A new eating disorder unit has opened at St John’s Hospital in Livingston.
The £500,000 facility will be used by patients referred by NHS Lothian, NHS Borders, NHS Forth Valley and NHS Fife and will be managed by West Lothian Community Health and Care Partnership.
It provides 12 en-suite bedrooms, together with a therapeutic kitchen and dining space, group work areas, sitting areas and a quiet room, as well as interview and administration accommodation.
Theresa Douglas, chairman of West Lothian Community Health and Care Partnership, said: “The new unit will offer first-class facilities for people living with an eating disorder in the South East of Scotland and is a great example of what can be achieved when people work together.
“The unit will be staffed by a specialist team of medics, nurses, psychologists, dieticians, physiotherapists, social workers, support workers and admin and clerical staff.
“Offering a therapeutic, safe and creative environment, the new unit will be a much welcomed addition to the range of treatment services provided for both men and women across the four Scottish regions.”
Officially opening the facility, Minister for Public Health, Michael Matheson, added: “Having an eating disorder can be a severe and complex condition to address and we must do what we can to ensure those people access the help and support they need.
“This unit will provide improved access to specialist care, treatment and support for service users experiencing the most severe forms of eating disorder, their carers and families.”
And Professor Anthony Pelosi, a consultant psychiatrist at the unit, told BBH : “The new unit will be a valuable addition to the excellent range of treatment services already available in the community.
“Our specialist staff will work closely with patients on practical, emotional and interpersonal skills, alongside psychiatric and weight stabilisation aiding progress towards recovery.”
