Eating Disorders HIT

The Eating Disorders Health Integration Team (ED HIT) is a team of people with lived experience of eating difficulties or disorders, their family, friends and partners, clinicians, academics, students, voluntary sector workers and others. We aim to improve the lives of people affected by or at risk of developing eating disorders in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG).

The team is focused on enhancing prevention and early identification of eating disorders as well as improving the care and quality of life for people living with an eating disorder in our region.

If you would like to get involved with the HIT or find out more about our other projects and events, please contact us. This is not a clinical service – please do not send clinical information.

About eating disorders

Eating disorders affect anyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, social class, or disability, although they disproportionally affect girls and young women. Eating disorders can have severe psychological, physical and social consequences, and it is crucial that people with eating disorders and their families and carers can access evidence-based, high-quality care as soon as possible. Early intervention can improve recovery rates and reduce the need for hospital admission.

There was a significant rise in eating disorders during the Covid-19 pandemic. This prompted the NHS to invest in early intervention services, through the First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for Eating Disorders (FREED) for 16-25 year olds.  ED HIT directors were involved and continue to work with the BNSSG Integrated Care Board in the implementation of FREED.

About ED HIT

ED HIT plans to achieve its aims through:

1. Enabling people to access good quality information and support
2. Working with local charities and education providers to enhance eating disorders prevention
3. Improving the early identification and care for people from marginalised communities or minority groups presenting to their GPs
4. Doing high quality research and evaluation on these innovations
5. Supporting service users and their families and friends to engage with and contribute to research
6. Communicating new research to clinicians to improve the quality of care for people with eating disorders

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As a HIT we strive to make our work inclusive, and influence clinical services and provision to be accessible and inclusive. Our 2022 research conference ‘Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity in eating disorders’ raised awareness of the specific needs of people living with eating disorders from marginalised communities, with a focus on race, religion, LGBTQ+ and autism.