Our Partnership with The University of Cambridge
PEDS (Personalised Eating Disorder Support) the Cambridgeshire Eating Disorder Charity has established a new partnership with The University of Cambridge. The focus is on raising awareness of eating disorders and understanding amongst the educational sector. Support will be offered to students, aimed at reaching those at risk of developing an eating disorder. Students will be able to self refer to PEDS and be seen on campus or remotely via Skype, Microsoft teams or Zoom.
PEDS will work collaboratively with the University Nurses, Counselling Service and Student Support Services. Training workshops that particularly address Positive Body Image and Eating Disorders will be available to staff and students.
PEDS works as part of a stepped care approach, alongside the local specialist NHS Eating Disorder Service, run by Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) Adult Eating Disorder Service (AEDS).. Where students meet criteria for NHS secondary care services ie CPFT Adult Eating Disorder Service (AEDS), PEDS will obtain consent from the student to liaise and refer as required. The usual route of referral to specialist services will remain in place for example, GPs and other organisations will continue to refer to NHS CPFT AEDS (with the following criteria:
- Adults 18 +
- CPFT Adult Eating Disorder Service – Currently those with a moderate to severe eating disorder:
- Anorexia nervosa - BMI of 17.5 or less (or higher with rapid weight loss);
- Bulimia nervosa - Binge eating/ purging at least 2 x per week;
- Binge eating disorder - Binge eating at least 2 x per week
- Referral form via https://www.cpft.nhs.uk/information-for-professionals.htm Email to aedsadmin@nhs.net or Tel: 01223 596201
Please note that this Service is in a process of transformation and will shortly be introducing an early intervention service for all those with a recent onset (<3 years) of eating disorder symptoms and will be lowering the threshold above to those with BMI of less than 18.5 and those binge eating and purging at least 1 x per week. The AEDS will also be introducing a self-referral to improve accessibility.
If you have any queries or concerns, you can phone the numbers above and discuss.
The PEDS partnership with the University will start at the beginning of the new term for students and staff and anyone wishing to find out more can contact Mandy or Sue at PEDS. Mandy Scott, Co Founder of PEDS comments:
"this is an exciting project between our eating disorder charity and the University. The educational setting is key to detecting those at risk of developing eating disorders and reaching students at risk, giving us a chance to help them develop coping strategies before significant eating disordered behaviours set in".