Key Takeaways
- Oxford Health’s virtual treatment for severe eating disorders helps prevent hospital admissions and aids recovery.
- The Step Care service showed high engagement, with 77% of patients discharged to community care.
- Multidisciplinary support provides continuity of care for vulnerable patients, improving their overall health metrics.
Innovative Virtual Support for Eating Disorders
Research from Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust reveals that virtual treatment can effectively support individuals with severe eating disorders, significantly reducing the need for inpatient admissions and aiding recovery post-hospitalization. This evaluation of the Step Care virtual service, published in the Journal of Eating Disorders, demonstrated encouraging engagement levels, particularly among long-term sufferers.
The Step Care service was established to address critical challenges faced by eating disorder patients, including inefficient transitions between services, frequent hospital readmissions, and limited access to intensive day treatment options. Sharon Ryan, the nurse lead for the Step Care service, emphasized the vulnerabilities patients face during post-discharge periods, stating that the program provides consistent, multidisciplinary support crucial for maintaining recovery and building confidence outside of hospital settings.
The Step Care service features structured support through three distinct pathways. The ‘Starting Well’ pathway assists those at risk of requiring hospitalization, aiming to prevent admissions altogether. Developed by the HOPE Provider Collaborative, the program integrates a range of multi-disciplinary experts, including psychologists, nurses, dietitians, and art therapists.
Between June 2023 and June 2024, a total of 124 patients were referred to the program, with 66 adults receiving treatment. Remarkably, 77% of these individuals were successfully discharged to community care after only one unplanned admission. Patients in the ‘Starting Well’ pathway reported notable improvements across various metrics, including body mass index, eating disorder symptoms, psychosocial impairment, and mood.
Agnes Ayton, clinical lead for the HOPE Provider Collaborative, noted that the Step Care service effectively bridges the gap between inpatient and community services. The study highlights the potential for intensive, evidence-based treatment to be administered safely online, providing continuity during vulnerable times. Many patients, including those who had been unwell for years, were able to avoid unplanned hospital admissions and transition smoothly into community care.
In addition to the ‘Starting Well’ pathway, Step Care includes the ‘Staying Well’ pathway, which focuses on consolidating recovery post-discharge. The ‘Working Towards Recovery’ pathway supports individuals who have regained some weight and are aiming for long-term recovery.
This pioneering study represents the first prospective examination of a fully virtual, intensive treatment service leveraging multi-disciplinary, integrated enhanced cognitive behavior therapy. Furthermore, in January 2026, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) conditionally recommended an online therapy program to support individuals with eating disorders while they await specialized NHS treatment, underscoring the growing recognition of virtual care solutions in this field.
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