Eating disorder charity BEAT report 250% increase in requests for help in Wales since Covid

Figures obtained by GB News show that the number of people reaching out to eating disorder charity BEAT in Wales has risen by 250%.

Calls for stage four services that deal with eating disorders began in 2013. However according to GB News sources, the Welsh government won't be reviewing the possibility of in-patient services until 2023.

Currently Welsh patients have to travel to other parts of the UK to receive care. In Wiltshire there is a unit with six beds available at all times for Welsh patients.

According to BEAT's figures, the charity helped around 1000 people in Wales in 2019 but that number jumper to 5000 between 2020 and 2021.

A statement from the Welsh government said: 'Treatment for eating disorders is provided as close to home as possible but sometimes specialist treatment may be needed to be provided further away. We continue to invest in eating disorder services and since 2017 health boards in Wales received an additional £3.8m to support improvements across services.'