For patients & carers; what do we do?

Most people in Lothian with Anorexia Nervosa will continue to have their needs met by their GP and / or additional outpatient therapy at the Cullen Centre. However, ANITT aims to offer intensive home-based treatment and support to individual patients with severe or chronic anorexia nervosa for whom inpatient admission is being considered. Sometimes, an in-patient stay will be unavoidable; however, if this happens to you, ANITT would aim to provide the opportunity for you to return home, with appropriate supports in place, at an earlier stage, hopefully avoiding the need for a lengthy admission.

ANITT's intensive treatment program offers medical monitoring and psychological therapy as well as nutritional and mealtime support. Our team may place restrictions on exercise and activities, in much the same way as an inpatient unit would, if it is felt that you are at physical risk or that this is necessary as part of the treatment plan. Typically, treatment and support will be provided in your home, with visits at least twice a week for 1-2 hours per session. However, the actual frequency of treatment sessions will be tailored to meet your needs. You will be allocated a key therapist, though input is likely to involve several different members of the team. Family members are encouraged to support therapy where appropriate.

If, at the time of referral to us, you are an inpatient on either a medical or psychiatric ward, ANITT will consult with the inpatient facility and participate in your discharge planning. You will be supported through the difficult transition from inpatient to outpatient care and you will be allocated a keyworker who will discuss initial treatment goals with you and carry out a thorough assessment. After this assessment period, you will either be offered intensive treatment with ANITT, or referral for standard outpatient therapy at the Cullen Centre.

It is hoped that ANITT's treatment and support in your home rather than in a hospital setting will mean that recovery will be more sustainable for you in the long term.

How Long Do We See Patients For?

If you are accepted onto the intensive treatment program, you would normally stay with ANITT for a year, at which point, further treatment options would be considered. After the review you might be sufficiently recovered to return to standard outpatient care or further inpatient admission may be needed. Alternatively you may continue to receive treatment with ANITT.

GP Consultation Service

ANITT is happy to provide consultation for your GP, dietician or other health professional if you have low weight anorexia nervosa and are not in contact with specialist services.

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For professionals, what do we do?

ANITT aims to offer intensive home-based treatment and support to patients with severe or chronic Anorexia Nervosa for whom inpatient admission is being considered. Should an in-patient stay be inevitable, ANITT would aim to allow for patients to return to the home environment - with appropriate supports in place - at an earlier stage, thus avoiding a long period of admission.

ANITT offers medical monitoring and psychological therapy as well as nutritional and mealtime support. Our team may place restrictions on exercise and activities, in much the same way as an inpatient specialist unit would, if it is felt that the patient is at physical risk or that this is necessary as part of the treatment plan. Typically, treatment and support is provided in the home environment, with visits at least twice a week for 1-2 hours per session. However, the actual frequency and length of treatment sessions will be tailored to the individual. Patients will be allocated a key therapist, though input is likely to involve several different members of the team. Family members are encouraged to support therapy where appropriate.

It is hoped that ANITT's treatment and support of patients in their home environment rather than in a hospital setting will mean that recovery will be more sustainable in the long term.

GP Consultation Service

ANITT is happy to provide consultation with GPs, dieticians or other health professionals who manage patients with low weight anorexia nervosa and who are refusing contact with specialist services.

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