SURVEY OF CAMHS EATING DISORDER REFERRALS FROM SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2019 AND 2020 INTO A UK EATING DISORDER SERVICE TO REFLECT ON THE IMPACT OF COVID RESTRICTIONS

ABSTRACT

Background: The 2020 COVID-19 lockdown in the United Kingdom led to increased eating disorder presentations in the under-18 age group. Sussex Family Eating Disorders Service (SFEDS) covers treatment for all under-18-year-olds in Sussex county. A surge of referrals into the service followed the pandemic. It was decided to survey referrals from September to November 2019 and 2020 to explore what were the differences noted between these years. Objectives: To explore characteristic differences in eating disorder referrals between 2019 and 2020 during the same 3-month periods to see the impact of COVID-19 restrictions. Methods: The recorded triage data were collated and compared between 2019 and 2020. This included looking at characteristics such as age, weight for height, urgency of referrals and reasons for rejecting referrals. Findings: There was a marked increase in total referrals between 2019 and 2020, including urgent referrals. It appeared in 2020 that the referrals were marked for ages 12 and 15 years old. There was a wider range of weightfor- height presentations in 2020, which could reflect differing types of presentations. Conclusion: The effect of COVID-19 lockdown was reflected in changes in 2020 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) eating disorder referrals into SFEDS. The increase of referrals during COVID-19 at 12 years of age reflects time of transition into UK high school, while at 15 years of age, students were sitting the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) exams. Both educational times in 2020 were disrupted by COVID-19 restrictions. It would be useful to reflect on referrals in 2021 to seeing ongoing pandemic impact.