AN eating disorders sufferer has spoken out against plans to close a 10-bed specialist treatment unit in the region.

The sufferer, who has asked to remain anonymous, is currently being treated at the Richardson Eating Disorders Service at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle.

She told The Northern Echo that plans to close the Richardson treatment unit was “a huge mistake” .

“Although having one specialised hub for eating disorders treatment makes theoretical and financial sense, in reality it is a fatal move.

“If you were suffering from a life-threatening illness, such as terminal cancer, you wouldn’t want to be detached from family and friends. However, this is exactly what is being done to the most fragile and struggling sufferers from eating disorders in the North-East,” she added.

For the last four years the NHS has chosen to fund 15 in-patient beds for eating disorders at West Park Hospital in Darlington, rather than at the RVI.

Because it is no longer directly funded, the Richardson unit is due to close later this year and be replaced by a new NHS day service treatment unit at Walkergate Park in Newcastle.

However the new Walkergate Park unit will not have in-patient beds and some patients – including the North East Eating Disorder Action Group – have criticised the plan, claiming it will force some patients to travel outside the region for NHS in-patient treatment.

Now two women who are receiving treatment at the Richardson Unit are taking legal action against the closure plans.

Letters sent to Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust and NHS England by a solicitor acting on their behalf alleges that both bodies have failed to properly consult with patients and the public over the proposed closure.

Around 100 people use REDS as out-patients, day patients and inpatients.