The Holistic at Home Treatment (HAHT) service has been developed by the Isle of Wight NHS Trust Community CAMHS Service with funding from the Wessex & Dorset CAMHS Tier 4 Provider Collaborative as an alternative to inpatient care.
Since the service was launched in April 2022, the team has worked hard to reduce the number of young people with an eating disorder requiring admission to the children’s ward and since September 2022 no young people with an eating disorder have been admitted to hospital. Instead, the HAHT team has worked with young people in their own homes, where they can be supported by their families, stay connected to their friends and continue to attend school.
In the last few years, there has been a steep rise in the number of young people being admitted to hospital with eating disorders. Evidence shows that home treatment programmes can be as effective as treatment provided in hospital and that the skills and behaviours the young people learn to help them restore a healthy weight are more likely to be maintained if they have been developed and practised at home.
The 12-14-week HAHT service is based within the Eating Disorder Team which delivers treatment and interventions by a multi-disciplinary team, including Specialist Eating Disorder Nurses, Consultant Psychiatrist, Clinical Lead Dietician, Consultant Paediatrician and Mental Health Associate Practitioners and is part of the Children and Young Peoples Mental Health Services (CAMHS) on the Isle of Wight.
The team works with the young people to help them to set goals for restoring weight, understanding the eating disorder and identifying triggers that may be contributing to their condition. They also empower family members to have a better understanding of eating disorders and give them the skills and confidence to be able to support their children at meal times and promote recovery.
The new service has been positively received by families who have benefited from expert advice and practical tips from professionals to enable them to support their children at home. Early intervention is essential for achieving the best outcomes for young people and their families.
If you would like further information, have concerns or would like to make a referral about a young person who may be exhibiting symptoms of an eating disorder please contact Community CAMHS on 01983 523602 and ask for Jo McCarthy Eating Disorder Clinical Lead.