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GP referral

Bedfordshire and Luton Community Eating Disorders Service for Children and Young People

The Bedfordshire and Luton Community Eating Disorders Service for Children and Young People (CEDS-CYP) is a specialist CAMHS service for young people up to the age of 18 who are experiencing an eating disorder.

It is part of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and covers Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and Luton.

Address

Bedfordshire CAMHS
9 Rush Court
Bedford
MK40 3JT
United Kingdom

Luton and Central Beds CAMHS
67 High Street North
Bedfordshire
LU6 1JF
United Kingdom

Opening hours
Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm

We can also make appointments at our satellite clinics in Luton and Leighton Buzzard.

We are proud to announce our new Intensive Day and Virtual Service is due to open by the end of 2024. More information will follow soon.
Email address
elft.camhs-eating-disorders-admin@nhs.net
Telephone number
Bedford 01234 893300
Luton and Central Beds 01582- 707635

When worries about your food, shape and weight get to the point where they affect your behaviour and everyday life, this can be indicative of an eating disorder.

Eating disorders can take many forms and so there are a number of indicators. These may include restricting food intake, excessive eating (bingeing), self-induced vomiting, laxative usage, excessive exercise, worries about body shape and weight, etc. 

Whilst eating disorders can appear to be about food and weight, there are often other contributing factors that can lead to a person having an eating disorder and these can differ greatly from person to person.  Some examples could include, when struggling with other difficulties finding a sense of control by managing or restricting set calorie intake.  Or another could be idolising some social media influencers that may have a focus on body image/dieting/exercising. 

Often, eating disorders can give a sense of control when other areas of your life seem out of control. However, they can also be very difficult to manage in your everyday life.

If you think that you might have an eating disorder, the most important step forward to take is acknowledging that you may have a problem, as there is help available to you.

The service offers high-quality, evidence-based assessment and treatment for children, young people and their families. It is staffed by a multi-disciplinary team consisting of:

  • Dietician: Offers advice about food choices and lifestyle
  • Consultant Psychiatrist: A senior doctor who has overall responsibility for your care
  • Therapists: Talk to you to help make sense of your difficulties and develop positive skills
  • Family Therapist: Offers your family a supportive space to talk about their experience.

We can help people with symptoms of:

  •    Anorexia Nervosa (AN)
  •    Bulimia Nervosa (BN)
  •    Binge Eating Disorder (BED) 
  •    Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorders (OSFED)
  •     Severe cases of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorders    (ARFID)

 

Referrals can be made by GPs, healthcare professionals, schools and colleges

You will need to complete this CAMHS referral form for professionals. Ideally, this will be completed in collaboration with the young person, parent, or carer. This will enable us to decide how best to help the client and their family.
Completed referral forms should be emailed to elft.spoebedfordshire@nhs.net

We also accept self-referrals
Young people or parents/carers who live in Bedfordshire and Luton are able to self-refer to their CAMHS service. Please our complete online self referral form.

The team will screen all referrals for risk and need. For any referrals that we are unable to accept, alternative support will be recommended. 

 

 

When we receive a request for help we will offer you an appointment. When we first meet you we will spend time chatting about what has brought you here.  

This is a safe environment and we want to help you.  

You can tell us anything that you like about how you are feeling and what you would like to be different.  We will not think it is silly or stupid. You may feel worried about talking on your own and may prefer to have a family member with you.

If you don’t feel like talking much at an appointment, that is absolutely fine.  You can ask as many questions as you like and if we use any complicated words just tell us and we can explain what we mean. We want to work with you to help you feel better.

We also find it helpful to meet other people in the family so we can hear what they think about the difficulty.  However if you may prefer if it is just you at the appointment and this is fine, just let us know.

Sometimes we only need to meet you a few times, and sometimes it may take longer. We will talk about this with you when you come to see us.

After the first meeting it might be helpful to speak to your GP, teachers, social worker or other professionals involved with you and your family. We would only do this with your permission.

This is a confidential service. We will only discuss your case with another service if you have given us permission or if we have serious concerns about a young person's safety.

Council Resources and Advice for Young People (Local Offers): 

Websites and online resources

Helplines

  • B-eat Youthline: 0845 634 7650
  • ChildLine: 0800 1111

If things are getting worse make an emergency appointment with your family doctor.

If you feel you are in crisis and have concerns about keeping yourself safe, you should be assessed by your doctor or seen in your local A & E department.  Click the  I Need Help Now button at the top of the page for more information or call 111 Option 2.