Sir George Howarth MP visited the Wirral-based service in his capacity as co-chair of a parliamentary inquiry into treatment for people with T1DE.
The inquiry published its findings in January 2024, noting a gap in healthcare provision, and recommended that this be addressed. Coinciding with the findings of the inquiry, eight pilot T1DE services have been established across England to help reduce barriers to effective and safe treatment for people living with the condition.
One such service is based at Springview Hospital in Wirral. Provided in partnership by Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the service began seeing patients in March 2022 and is staffed by local clinical experts.
According to Diabetes UK, some form of disordered eating is reported in up to 40% of girls and women and up to 15% of boys and men living with type 1 diabetes. This can include some forms of anorexia, bulimia or a person with type 1 diabetes reducing or not taking their insulin in order to lose weight.
Despite this, the parliamentary inquiry report notes that understanding is still lacking amongst the wider population. It is hoped that with expert-led, clinically-driven services such as the new service in Wirral, outcomes will improve.
CWP chief executive, Tim Welch, said: “On behalf of CWP I would like to thank Sir George Howarth for visiting our pioneering service. It was great to have such a thought-provoking discussion about the recent parliamentary inquiry and to showcase the work we are doing to support people locally.
“We are continuing to build the service and we know from feedback that those who have benefited from our care have appreciated the joined-up approach and good communication.”
Sir George Howarth MP said: “‘Having campaigned for better help for Type 1 Diabetics with Eating Disorders over many years, it was enormously encouraging to see that the work going on at Clatterbridge, which provides for those living with the problem, provides much of the support needed in one location. It is a welcome and much-needed service which is so important.’
