West Yorkshire’s NHS eating disorders service retains quality mark from Royal College
Adults with eating disorders across West Yorkshire are receiving top quality treatment according to national experts.
The Yorkshire Centre for Eating Disorders (YCED) has retained its accreditation to the Quality Network for Eating Disorders (QED), a national quality mark from the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
The YCED treats the most acutely ill people with eating disorders from across our region. This 14-bed unit based at the Newsam Centre in Seacroft, Leeds, treats around 35 inpatients a year including adults with anorexia and bulimia.
Following a rigorous assessment process, the Royal College of Psychiatrists awarded the YCED with a three-year accreditation for meeting a range of standards including;
- Providing a safe environment for staff and patients,
- Staff demonstrating compassion, dignity and respect, and
- Patients being offered excellent quality treatment which is based on national best practice.
Michelle Leary-Simmons, Inpatient Clinical Team Manager at the Yorkshire Centre for Eating Disorders (pictured), said:
“We’re the first nurse-led inpatient eating disorder service in the country with accreditation from the Royal College of Psychiatrists. It’s a privilege to be part of a team that is not only pioneering but always striving to towards excellence to meet the needs of patients with eating disorders.
“High quality patient care is always at the heart of our practice. Retaining this accreditation shows that we’re continuing to achieve this.
“The accreditation process itself was challenging but ultimately rewarding as it’s enabled us to show to others what we do well and how we can adapt to deliver even better.
“We’re a diverse team consisting of a Nurse Consultant, psychologists, occupational therapists, nurses and dietitians who work well together with patients to provide safe, reliable and effective care. Well done team!”
The YCED received the following comments from patients as part of the accreditation process:
“The accreditation makes us feel confident in the service and (staff) know what they are doing and are confident in their abilities.”
“(I) trust in staff to listen and follow treatment plans.”
“The staff team genuinely care and we feel like we are not just a number.”
“(I) feel 100% safe and supported.”
“Treatment is not just about eating; therapy is also important.”
“Care planning is transparent, well informed and involving carers/family.”
“The ward has saved my life.”
The YCED is part of an eating disorders service called CONNECT which works with adults across West Yorkshire struggling with eating disorders in the communities where they live. CONNECT is hosted by Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Find out more about CONNECT on their website.
The Quality Network for Eating Disorders (QED) works with inpatient and community services to improve the quality of services treating people with eating disorders and their carers. Accreditation assures staff, service users and carers, commissioners and regulators of the quality of the service being provided.
Through a comprehensive process of review, they identify and acknowledge high standards of organisation and patient care and support other services to achieve these. People with first-hand experience of using eating disorders services are encouraged to get involved in all stages of the accreditation process.