A specialised support service for people with eating disorders is to be extended to reach more sufferers in the West of Scotland.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is expanding the Adult Eating Disorder Service into Paisley and West Dunbartonshire as new figures showed an increase in the number of Scots seeking help.

Under the scheme, patients have access to tailored treatment from a team of clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists and dietitians.

One of the main aims of the project is to keep patients out of hospital.

A three stage traffic light system is used to decide the urgency of a referral and the level of intervention needed.

New figures show a total of 1500 young women in Scotland sought help for eating disorders last year – a rise of nearly 200 on the previous year.

The NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde service is currently treating around 40 patients and has helped 154 since the service was launched in Glasgow 2008.

Dr Charlotte Nevison, Consultant Clinical Psychologist of NHSGGC’s Adult Eating Disorder Service, said: “When a patient decides to go to the service it is regarded as a sign of progress, because it indicates some acceptance of an eating disorder illness.

“Gradually they will be encouraged to take more responsibility for managing their care.

“One of our main aims is keeping patients out of hospital.

“Each of the treatment programmes is tailor-made for the individual and there is a strong emphasis on family involvement too.”

Patients new to the service are offered a month’s trial and are allocated a key worker who monitors their care on a regular basis.

They are referred by GPs or mental health teams who will involve the service if it is believed appropriate, but it is ultimately the patient’s own decision whether to take the next step.

Patients may be with the service for short-term intervention, up to six months or for a longer term of between 1-2 years.

In extreme cases, patients may be admitted to a specialist eating disorder bed at Stobhill Hospital or their local psychiatric hospital.

Dr Nevison added: “Treatment can be very intensive, in addition to the individual sessions they are also offered the opportunity of group work on body image, assertiveness and anxiety management.”