Richard Quigley MP was joined by cross-party colleagues including John McDonnell MP, Sian Berry MP, Wera Hobhouse MP and others to deliver a petition to 10 Downing Street urging the Prime Minister to make the prevention of eating disorder deaths a national priority.
The petition, signed by campaigners, families, and healthcare professionals, calls for immediate government action to address the systemic failings that continue to cost lives. It highlights the urgent need for improved access to specialist treatment, better training for medical professionals, and a more compassionate and coordinated approach to care.
Following the petition hand-in, MPs gathered for the launch of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Eating Disorders’ new report: Preventing Eating Disorder Deaths. The report sets out a series of recommendations aimed at tackling the crisis, including early intervention strategies, enhanced data collection, and stronger accountability across NHS services.
Speaking at the launch, Richard Quigley MP shared his own family’s experience of the devastating impact of eating disorders. In a moving address, he emphasised the human cost of inaction and the need for urgent, systemic change:
“I know firsthand the fear that comes with the threat of losing your loved one to an eating disorder. We owe it to every person who has suffered, and every family who has lost someone, to do better.”
Richard reaffirmed his commitment to working across party lines to ensure that eating disorders are treated with the seriousness they deserve, and that no one is left to navigate this illness alone.
The APPG’s report and the petition mark a significant moment in the campaign to improve outcomes for those affected by eating disorders. Campaigners hope it will lead to concrete action from the Government and a renewed focus on saving lives.
