The number of patients admitted to private clinics for treatment of eating disorders has soared over the past four years, new figures show.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said there were 49 "episodes" where patients were admitted to private clinics in 2015, compared with seven in 2012.

A total of 52 patients were admitted to NHS hospitals last year for treatment for conditions including anorexia and bulimia in 2015 compared with 41 four years ago.

The health board said some patients were referred for private treatment if NHS beds were not available, while other patients had access to private health insurance.

Some of the 52 patients were admitted to NHS hospitals more than once, as there were 57 NHS stays in total.

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NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde released the figures following a freedom of information request and attributed part of the rise in hospital admissions to earlier diagnosis.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists say Scotland said there continues to be tragic, potentially avoidable deaths from eating disorders, in part due to a lack of specialist services.

Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality of any psychiatric disorder and half of these deaths are by suicide.

Studies suggest that the prevalence of eating disorders in teenage girls is as high as 13%.

The college said there Scotland has seen striking improvements in the provision of specialist eating disorders services over the past decade.

However, gaps in service provision were identified, particularly in the west of the country and in many remote and rural areas.

Some specialist eating disorders beds have been made available in Glasgow, though the city does not have a dedicated unit. The Glasgow Priory is the main specialist, private service.

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The Royal College said concern about weight-losing disorders is not incompatible with concern about levels of obesity in Scotland.

A spokesman for NHSGGC said: “We are seeing an increase in the number of patients with eating disorders as a result of earlier diagnosis.

“An eating disorder can be just one aspect of a patient’s care needs. As a result, they are treated in the healthcare facility best suited to their needs.”