A NEW service has been launched to help people suffering from eating disorders.

An estimated 13,000 people in York and North Yorkshire are said to suffer from conditions such as anorexia or bulimia, leading North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust (PCT) to set up the Eating Disorder Network to help support patients with these illnesses.

The network, which is one of the first of its kind in the north of England, aims to reduce hospital stays by providing specialist support to patients in the community. It is designed to catch people early before these disorders become serious.

Kay Thwaite, who is managing the new eating disorder network, said: "This new service will be welcomed across York and North Yorkshire.

"As well as providing education and support for new patients, it will provide the much-needed link for those patients, their families and friends who have struggled with the impact of an eating disorder on their lives, sometimes over many years.

"The network will concentrate on delivering joined-up and effective solutions for the treatment and management of this potentially disabling condition."

Eating disorders can affect a wide range of people, both male and female, although young women aged between 13 and 19 are most at risk.

An estimated 6,000 people in York and North Yorkshire suffer from anorexia nervosa and a further 7,500 people are believed to have bulimia nervosa.

In the past, people who needed support for an eating disorder often had to be treated in specialist care centres outside North Yorkshire.

It will also reduce the need for some patients to have lengthy stays in hospital because the new network will co-ordinate their after-care closer to home.

Jane Marshall, the PCT's director of commissioning and service development, said: "The new eating disorder team will case manage' patients to ensure they have all the support they need from a range of health professionals.

"People living with eating disorders often have multiple needs and require medical, social and psychological support.

"The different members of the team bring with them different skills, which means everyone can work together to give the person the best possible support."

Four eating disorder practitioners have been appointed to run the service, supported by a consultant psychiatrist. There are also plans to recruit a dedicated dietician.