Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust Leads the Way in Innovative Care for Type 1 Diabetes and Disordered Eating
Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust (CWPT) is raising awareness of the Type 1 Diabetes and Disordered Eating (T1DE) service pilot which has helped 37 people over the past year with their diagnosis.
This pilot service, which is delivered from the Aspin Centre in Warwick, improves mental health support for people with Type 1 diabetes and addresses the complex physical and emotional challenges they can face. The Clinic for Eating Disorders and Diabetes offers a multidisciplinary, patient-centred approach to care for individuals with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes who are struggling with disordered eating. This includes those living with T1DE, a condition previously known as diabulimia.
T1DE is more common than many realise and often misunderstood, making this innovative service all the more essential. As part of NHS England's ongoing commitment to address this critical issue, funding has been extended for 5 T1DE pilot sites across the country, including the Clinic for Eating Disorders and Diabetes in Warwick, until March 2026. The Clinic's team, led by Dr Anthony Winston, provides comprehensive assessments, psychological treatment, dietary advice, and expert diabetes management guidance, all tailored to the unique needs of each patient.
Marion* has been living with type 1 diabetes for 18 years, after having been diagnosed in her mid-20s. When going to a routine appointment 6 years ago, she completed a mental health screening questionnaire, and for the first time, Marion came to the realisation that she had an issue with food and insulin. She only knew stereotypical depictions of eating disorders and thought they didn't possibly apply to her.
Marion said: I was at breaking point. I couldn't cope anymore. My GP and Specialist Diabetes Nurse made referrals to CWPT's team at the Aspen Centre. I was finally on the path to receiving the help I'd been needing. It was a safe space where I was able to let my guard down and be vulnerable. No judgment, just genuine support where I was seen as a person and not a bunch of individual conditions.
I needed to realise that my eating disorder was a mental health issue and not an issue with food, and this was really important for me in starting my road to recovery. Without this intervention, I don't know where I'd be. I have my life ahead of me and I feel that I am just now starting to live. For the first time in a long time, I have a quality of life.
Dr Richard Onyon, Chief Medical Officer, CWPT, said: "Developing an integrated diabetes and eating disorder service requires collaboration at every level. By working together with colleagues across healthcare teams and people with lived experience, we can create a holistic, groundbreaking approach that addresses both the physical and emotional needs of patients. This pioneering service not only provide comprehensive care, but also set a new standard in supporting individuals facing the complex challenges of managing both conditions.
In June, the UK Professional Conference on Eating Disorders and Diabetes (UKPCEDD) took place at the University of Warwick. It was the first-time experts from both children's and adult services came together to focus on the link between diabetes and eating disorders. The event provided valuable opportunities for healthcare professionals, researchers, and service providers to connect and share ideas.
Dr Anthony Winston, Consultant in Eating Disorders, CWPT, said: It was a pleasure to welcome clinicians from across the country to Warwick University for the first UK Professional Conference on Eating Disorders and Diabetes. There was plenty of lively discussion, opportunities for networking and a chance for us to talk about the work of CWPT's Clinic for Eating Disorders and Diabetes.
Recent research has highlighted the significant prevalence of disordered eating in individuals with diabetes. Studies show that up to 40% of women and girls, and around 15% of men and boys with Type 1 diabetes, experience some form of disordered eating. With approximately 400,000 people in the UK living with Type 1 diabetes, addressing this issue is a priority for health professionals and policymakers alike.
The development of the Clinic for Eating Disorders and Diabetes marks a significant step forward in addressing the challenges faced by individuals with both diabetes and disordered eating. The Clinic remains committed to improving outcomes for its patients and raising awareness of this under-recognised condition, ensuring that individuals with T1DE receive the specialised care they need to live healthier, more fulfilling lives.
*Name has been changed to protect anonymity.