Richard Quigley today (Tuesday 28 October) addressed the official launch of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for eating disorders’ report on eating disorder-related deaths, calling for urgent national action to tackle the crisis.
The report, which follows a comprehensive inquiry into the systemic failures surrounding eating disorder treatment and prevention, issues a stark warning:
“This inquiry calls for eating disorders to be recognised as a national patient-safety priority and for concerted cross-government action.”
Speaking at the launch, Mr Quigley emphasised the need for coordinated efforts across health, education, and social care sectors to prevent further avoidable deaths. He praised the courage of families who contributed to the inquiry and reiterated the importance of listening to lived experience in shaping policy.
“This report is a wake-up call,” Mr Quigley said. “We must ensure that eating disorders are no longer sidelined. The time for piecemeal responses is over, what’s needed now is a unified, national strategy.”
The APPG’s recommendations include improved training for healthcare professionals, better data collection on eating disorder deaths, and increased investment in specialist services.
