Service : Eating Disorder Service

Berkshire Eating Disorder Service (BEDS) is an all-age, secondary care, community-based specialist assessment and treatment service for individuals presenting with symptoms of an eating disorder.

This page is for adults aged 18 years and above. For children and young peoples, please go to their service page, under related services.

We are a multidisciplinary team of professionals that includes: clinical/counselling psychologists, psychiatrists, specialist dietitians, GPs, mental health nurses, art therapists, psychological therapists, mental health practitioners, administrators to mention just a few.

We can help you if you are struggling with symptoms of an eating disorder or if you have been diagnosed with an eating disorder. We accept referrals for individuals who present with symptoms of:

• Anorexia Nervosa
• Bulimia Nervosa
• Binge Eating Disorder
• Otherwise Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder 

(Please note we are not commissioned to treat Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), Psychological Compulsive Craving or Consumption of non-edible items (PICA), or Rumination Disorder.

You need to be aged 18 or over and be registered with a GP in the Berkshire area to access our service.

Your GP or healthcare professional can refer you to us.

Once we've received your referral:

• We look at each referral closely to make sure they are appropriate for our service and to assess the urgency.
• If your presentation and difficulty are serious and require a rapid response, we will speed up your referral and will contact you directly to offer you an appointment within a few weeks.
• Once we receive a referral, we'll send you a letter to ask you to opt in and confirm whether you'd like to receive an appointment.
• Once you've opted in, your name will be added to our waiting list for a face-to-face assessment appointment.
• After the assessment with you, and if we feel that we're the best service to offer you help, we'll agree on a treatment plan with you. We will also write to your GP with a summary of the assessment. 

Unfortunately, we don’t accept self-referrals. You can still read our self-help resources for advice.

Before your assessment

We'll have sent you some questionnaires with your assessment invite. Please make sure that you complete these as soon as possible before your appointment. Your answers help us understand more about your current difficulties.

What happens?

A clinician will come to meet you and take you to one of our clinic rooms. The assessment will begin with introductions, and the clinicians will let you know how information is recorded and kept confidential in the NHS. Then, the clinician will ask you about how things have been for you and your eating. You're also able to ask the clinicians any questions you have.

Sometimes, we'll check your height and weight. This will help us understand how any eating difficulties may be affecting your physical well-being. If we would like to check other aspects of your physical health, we'll connect with your GP to follow up where appropriate. The assessment usually lasts between 1 and 2 hours.

Who will you meet?

We're a friendly team of therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists and dietitians. We all have experience working with people with eating difficulties and their families. 

Can I bring someone with me?

You're welcome to bring another adult with you if you would like some support during your assessment.

What happens next?

At the end of your assessment, your clinician will be able to share with you what the next steps are, and if appropriate, what treatments can be offered. Unfortunately, there may be a further wait for some treatments. Your clinician will discuss this with you. Your clinician will write up a report based on your assessment, and both you and your GP will receive a copy.

Self help

Advice for care givers

Dietetics support

SHaRON

Support Hope and Recovery Online Network: is an e-health system providing peer support that is anonymous, secure and moderated.