NHS Grampian’s eating disorders unit has received more than 100 admissions in the last five years, it has emerged.
Data, obtained by the Scottish Conservatives under Freedom of Information legislation, has revealed there have been 106 adult admissions at the Eden Unit at Royal Cornhill Hospital in Aberdeen since 2014.
The number of admissions in 2014/15 was 24. Twenty-three were recorded in both 2015/16 and 2016/17 before the number fell to 15 in 2017/18.
Last year (2018/19), the number of admissions was 21. The Eden Unit takes referrals from NHS Grampian, NHS Highland, NHS Tayside, NHS Orkney and NHS Shetland as well as occasional referrals from outside those areas.
Over the same period more than 40 patients have been placed on a community treatment order, meaning they must accept medication and therapy, counselling, management, rehabilitation and other services after being discharged.
North East MSP Tom Mason said: “As reality TV continues to increase in popularity, so does the number of people who feel the need to look a certain way.
“The situation is alarming but I’m glad people are realising they may be suffering from an eating disorder and are therefore being seen to.”
A NHS Grampian spokesman said: “The figures show a downward trend in admissions since 2014-15. In most cases patient admissions are a proactive way to prevent their condition from escalating in severity.”
The spokesman said the clinic gave intensive assessment to inform care in hospital or community which ensured patient support.
