A marked national growth in acute, severe and enduring cases of eating disorders has prompted Care UK to expand its service offering with the acquisition of a renowned acute hospital that specialises in the treatment of children and adolescents suffering from anorexia, bulimia and similar conditions.

"We plan to extend this approach to Rhodes Farm to add to its established reputation for successful weight restoration and psychological intervention and so develop a market- leading service that makes a real difference to the young person's perception of themselves and to their future quality of life."

Care UK, which already runs two successful intensive rehabilitation units at Althea Park in Gloucestershire, has completed the purchase of the Rhodes Farm Clinic which operates from Mill Hill in London and was formerly owned and run by Dr Dee Dawson.

Care UK sees Rhodes Farm as an excellent complementary addition to its existing eating disorder service which focuses on a highly successful rehabilitation and recovery approach. This approach places the emphasis on psychological and social interventions and on treating the psychological issues which underlie the eating disorder, rather than focusing exclusively on weight gain.

Rhodes Farm, as an acute facility, will continue to help young people attain a healthy weight in order to enable them to go on to engage effectively in a psychological and social therapeutic programme. More importantly they also provide a range of therapies designed to help young people and their families manage and understand eating disorders. Last year 87% of clients discharged were successfully supported in the community, preventing the need for readmission.

Care UK's Managing Director for Mental Health, Dr Alison Rose-Quirie said: "Care UK offers a residential alternative to hospital treatment for people who have already tried other routes many times. A significant number of people with eating disorders get stuck in a 'revolving door' cycle of treatment and relapse. This pattern can seriously impact upon a person's life and identity, as well as their physical and mental health. Our programmes are specifically designed to help young women with eating disorders bring about life change and not just weight change. We actively support people to rediscover an identity outside of their illness, an approach which can have dramatic positive results."

"We plan to extend this approach to Rhodes Farm to add to its established reputation for successful weight restoration and psychological intervention and so develop a market- leading service that makes a real difference to the young person's perception of themselves and to their future quality of life."

Source:
Care UK