Schoen Clinic UK announces partnership with eating disorder charity Beat

Schoen Clinic UK, which creates peer-reviewed clinical research on eating disorders and offers a holistic service for patients with eating disorders, has announced a partnership with eating disorder charity Beat to help raise awareness of these devastating mental illnesses and address the challenges faced by patients.

Founded in 1989, Beat aims to end suffering and loss of life among people affected by eating disorders. Working both nationally and locally, the charity helps patients and their families to understand their illness and move towards recovery. It also trains professionals and campaigns for better government policy and health services.

The Schoen Clinic partnership will seek to drive necessary education, guidance and fundraising initiatives and make sure everyone has access to the treatments they need.

Rachel Matthews of Schoen Clinic

Philip Roethenbaugh, Beat’s director of marketing, said: “We are delighted to be working with Schoen Clinic. Hospitals such as theirs can play an integral role in helping those affected by eating disorders on the road to recovery, especially in what we know has been an incredibly challenging time for those we support.”

Rachel Matthews, Schoen Clinic’s director of mental health services, added: “As an independent provider, we work closely with mental health specialists and researchers to ensure our methods and care bring quality clinical outcomes to sufferers. Education is intrinsic to this aim and an imperative part of the change we envision through our work. Our partnership with Beat will help to showcase the fundamental support and resources available not just to those admitted into hospital but also for the wider community such as teachers, carers, parents and GPs.”

This Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Beat is calling for all UK medical schools and foundation year programmes to include proper training on eating disorders. The charity has developed comprehensive courses for medical students, which some UK medical schools have started to teach. But ‘some’ is not enough.

Key Facts: Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2022
— Eating disorders are devastating mental illnesses that affect one in 50 people in the UK.
— Recovery is possible. But we rely on our GPs to spot early warning signs (which may have nothing to do with weight or appearance).
— The average GP gets less than two hours training on eating disorders in their entire medical degree, and one in five UK medical schools don’t provide any training on eating disorders at all.
— This delays access to treatment and leads to misdiagnosis of eating disorders, the consequences of which can be devastating.