Where we are

The CAMHS eating disorders currently have bases in Stafford and Burton. Initial assessments will be carried out at the Stafford base. In most cases treatment will be carried out at either our Stafford or Burton base.

Working hours

• 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday
• Telephone contact number  0300 123 0997.

Please note that we are not a crisis service therefore if your query is urgent or out-of-hours we would advise that you contact your GP surgery or 111 for initial advice. The team currently have a duty clinician is available during working hours who will be able to discuss any concerns that you may have.

How to refer 

At present we only accept referrals from a professional; i.e a GP or school nurse. However, school teachers and dance/ sport coaches can also refer into the service.

We would advise that if you or your child has not been seen by your/their GP recently that an appointment is made to see the GP in order that any physical cause for their symptoms can be excluded and also to provide us with information that will help us assess the risk and urgency of the referral. The referral can still be made to us at the same time as arranging an appointment with the GP.

If you are unsure whether the referral is appropriate, or if you have other questions then please call and ask to speak with the duty clinician.

Occasionally, the underlying issue may not be an eating disorder – in this instance the team may will recommend referral to a more appropriate team or service. 

How soon will your first appointment be? 

The team will use the information from the referral to make a decision on risk and urgency. We aim to see urgent cases within one week of the receipt of the referral and routine cases within four weeks. High risk cases will be seen the next working day (where possible). If you are very unwell you may need to be referred to the paediatric/medical team or A&E in an emergency. 

What treatment is offered?

The team is multi disciplinary and includes psychiatrists, family therapists, a psychologist, a specialist dietician, nurses and a psychotherapist. We also work closely with the paediatric departments within the local hospitals.

We offer:

• Assessment, diagnosis and interventions on a range of suspected and confirmed eating disorders
• Provision evidence-based treatments including Family Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Psychotherapy 
• Intensive support is available for those children and young people whose eating disorder is causing significant concern
• A comprehensive transition support package to those young people who are approaching their 18th birthday and may need continuing support as adults.

We also offer training, consultation, support and advice to frontline staff working in other CAMHS services for children and young people in special circumstances including:

• Children’s services 
• Child health and primary care services
• Education
• Paediatric services
• Adult mental health services
• Out-of-hours services